Thursday, December 13, Second Week of Advent
MEMORIAL OF ST. LUCY
ST. LUCIA (Sicily, 283-304), Virgin and Martyr
Born to a wealthy family, Lucia is said to have vowed herself to virginity,
refused to marry a man chosen by her family, and gave away her dowry
to the poor. For her staunch defense of her faith in Christ against the
prevailing society of her day, she was executed during the Diocletian
persecution. Legend has it that her eyes were gouged out before she was
put to death, an event commemorated in her images and her veneration
as the patroness of eyesight. Although little historical fact is known about
her, she is venerated as a saint by all the Christian churches, and is one
of only seven women (including Mary) mentioned in the Canon of the Mass.
Lutherans in the Scandinavian countries have a particular devotion to her.
Unusually for a saint, she is also immortalized in the famous Neapolitan
folk song 'Santa Lucia'.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121312.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
The Holy Father met with
- New ambassadors from Guinea, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Niger, Zambia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
who presented their credentials. Address in French.
- H.E. Madame Anne Leahy, Ambassador from Canada, on her farewell visit.
- Prof. Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Commander of the Knights of Columbus.
- Mons. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.