Prayer and story of Saint Lucia the martyr who brings gifts to children

Saint Lucia he is a much loved figure in the Italian tradition, especially in the provinces of Verona, Brescia, Vicenza, Bergamo, Mantua and other areas of Veneto, Emilia and Lombardy, where his feast is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm.

The history of Santa Lucia has ancient origins. It is said that it is born in Syracuse around 281-283 AD Raised in a noble family, she lost her father at five years old. When her mother fell ill, Lucia went on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Sant'Agata in Catania, where she had a dream in which Saint Agatha promised her mother's recovery. This miracle came true and from that moment Lucia decided to dedicate her life to the needy.

Lucia's life took a turning point when he rejected the advances of a young man who wanted to marry her. The man, offended by her refusal, denounced her as a Christian, a religion that was outlawed by her at the time. The December 13, 304 AD, the prefect Paschasius he captured her in the hope of converting her, but Lucia's faith was too strong to crumble. So they decided to kill her but when they tried to take her away no one could move her and when they tried to burn her alive, the flames opened without touching her. The prefect Pascasio at that point decided to cut her throat.

The tradition of Saint Lucia

St. Lucia is known as the protector of the eyes, precisely those eyes that according to legend she decided to tear. Some versions say that she did it for donate them to Paschasius, while others say that he tore them off so he would no longer have to see the ugliness of the world. Many miracles have been attributed to Saint Lucia. One particular one concerns the healing of a child in Venice, who would have recovered his sight after his mother had prayed to the Saint. Furthermore, during a famine in Syracuse, the people prayed to Lucia and one immediately arrived ship loaded with wheat and legumes.

During the feast of Saint Lucia, children receive gifts and sweets in the Italian provinces where it is celebrated. TO Verona, the tradition of giving gifts dates back to the 1200s, when an epidemic caused eye problems for many children. The parents promised their children that if they did a procession to Sant'Agnese on December 13th, upon their return they would find sweets and games. TO Brescia, however, the tradition of gifts was born when during a famine Saint Lucia left bags of wheat on the city gates on the night between 12 and 13 December.