The Story of St. Lucia

     The Festival of St. Lucia, celebrated on December 13, begins the Christmas season in Swedish custom. The tradition stems from the 4th Century martyrdom of an Italian saint and the incidents which followed. Lucia, which means "light," was born to a noble and prosperous family in Sicily. Her father died when she was young, so Lucia was raised by her mother in the Christian tradition. 

     When Lucia was a young woman her mother became very ill; they     offered prayers at the tomb of St. Agatha and Lucia vowed that if her  mother was healed she would devote her life to God. Lucia’s mother was healed and Lucia revealed her promised vow to her mother. She was so touched that she agreed to give Lucia her inheritance, which Lucia gave to the poor. Upset with his loss of love and dowry, Lucia’s suitor reported her to the government as being a witch and helping the Christians. Lucia was called before a judge and killed because she refused to renounce her Christian faith. At 20 years old, Lucia became a martyr with accounts of miracles following.