Saint Lucy: Be the Light through the Beatitudes
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Saint Lucy is a virgin martyr from the early Church who passed away in the year 304. Tradition holds that although her eyes were plucked out before she was killed, they miraculously were restored afterward. Fittingly, she is the patron saint of the blind.
A light in time of darkness
Saint Lucy’s feast day is celebrated annually on December 13th. In the northern hemisphere, this day is one of the shortest days of the year, with limited hours of daylight. Paradoxically, the name Lucy is derived from the Latin word for “light.” Despite hardships, Lucy persevered in her faith and serves as a strong example of a bearer of Christ’s light. Indeed, we too are called to share His light in the world, even in times of darkness.
Align our vision to Christ
How fitting that Saint Lucy’s feast day falls during the Advent season as we fill our hearts with peace and our homes with light: through displaying bright lights we prepare our hearts to celebrate the occasion of Christ’s birth.
Living out the Beatitudes, as Catholic Women in Business is exploring this Advent season, helps us to align our vision to Christ and to share Christ’s light with the world. What a beautiful message as we journey through Advent, at the end of which we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace. It is He who lights up our hearts to share the joy of the Gospel at home, at work and out in the world.
Saint Lucy, pray for us
Let’s conclude with a prayer to Saint Lucy from Hallow:
Saint Lucy, your beautiful name signifies light. By the light of faith which God bestowed upon you, increase and preserve this light in my soul so that I may avoid evil, be zealous in the performance of good works, and abhor nothing as much as the blindness and darkness of evil and sin.
By your intercession with God, obtain for me perfect vision for my bodily eyes and the grace to use them for God’s great honor and glory and the salvation of all men.
Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.
Amen.
Sarah Gagliano Taliun is a genetics professor with many interests in addition to studying DNA. She and her husband now call Montreal home. When she is not reading a scientific article or meeting with students, Sarah can be found experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, reading her Bible or taking a walk in nature.