Santa Lucia......

Have you ever seen those great photos of Santa Lucia day? They intrigued my daughter and I so much last year that we did some research (I know, so technical sounding) and well, how could I resist!!??!! to do it ourselves after finding all this out??!

*** All of these photographs were taken from last year's celebration........***

don't be surprised if you see more from this year in a few days

The TRUE story, has all the components of faith:

~ devotion

~ strength

~ charity

~ and symbolism (one of my favorites!)

The great thing about this day, is that it isn't made up! not a fairy tale, not a joke, but real, and SO inspiring for any young lady.......to keep her strength through her devotional faith.....

bear with me now........here's the story.......TOTALLY READ IT!
Santa Lucia.........December 13th.......she's honored that day......

The name “Lucy” means “light” from the root word “lucid” which means “clear, or radiant…understandable.” The times for which she lived were shrouded in the darkness of the time. It was the 4th Century, and the persecutions of the Christians were rampant throughout her homeland, Syracuse. How did she become a Saint?

In defense of her Faith. Lucy had vowed her life to the service of Christ, yet, her mother tried to arrange a marriage of a pagan man to Lucy. Lucy knew that her mother would not be convinced by her vow (because she was so young) so Lucy devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. Near their home, lie the tomb of Saint Agatha, and Lucy’s mother, who was quite ill, fervently prayed at the tomb. Miraculously, Lucy’s mother was cured of her illness, and thus, was ready to listen to her young daughter’s plea to give her money to the poor and commit her life entirely to God.

Often times the eldest daughter plays Lucia, and greets her family with a breakfast of hot coffee and pastries, known as Lucia Buns. This ritual honors the legend of Saint Lucia bringing food during a famine.

Unfortunately, legend has it, the rejected bridegroom did not see the same light and he betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution but the guards who came to take her way found her stiff and heavy as a mountain. Finally she was killed. As much as the facts of Lucy's specific case are unknown, we know that many Christians suffered incredible torture and a painful death for their faith during Diocletian's reign. Lucy may not have been burned or had a sword thrust through her throat but many Christians did and we can be sure her faith withstood tests we can barely imagine. Whatever the fact to the legends surrounding Lucy, the truth is that her courage to stand up and be counted a Christian in spite of torture and death is the light that should lead us on our own journeys through life.

In Her Footsteps:

Lucy is the patron saint of the blind. Braille is an important means of communication for those with visual impairment or blindness. Support the teaching of Braille in schools and learn about it yourself by calling your local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.

Prayer: Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illuminate our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day. Amen

and here's something for your "little ones":

have a great weekend..........