By Lisa Zengarini
The Archdiocese of Syracuse in Sicily has proclaimed a special year dedicated to Saint Lucy, the Patron of the city, beginning on her Feast Day, on Dec 13.
Saint Lucy, was born in Syracuse, and was also martyred there with her eyes plucked out in 304 A.D. during the Diocletian’s Christian persecutions. For centuries she has been the object of a fervent popular devotion in the city.
Every year in December the Syracusan people celebrate their patron saint, whose name in Latin means “light “ (Lux) and is also venerated worldwide as the Protector of Sight, with celebrations culminating on Dec 13, the date of her martyrdom.
On this day a solemn procession accompanies the Statue and Relics of the Saint from the Cathedral to the Church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro (St Lucy at the Sepulchre), a route that is completed in reverse on Dec 20.
This year, to mark the beginning of the “Year of Saint Lucy, the celebrations features a pilgrimage of the relics of the martyr from Venice, where they have been safeguarded for the past eight centuries in the Shrine of Saint Lucy.
On the occasion Pope Francis addressed a message to the Archbishop of Syracuse Francesco Lomanto and the archdiocesan community in which he contemplates the legacy of the Syracusan martyr in today’s world.
God brings light
“The affection that binds you to St Lucy has brought you back to one of the most ancient Christian convictions: ‘God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness,” he writes, encouraging the faithful of Syracuse to reflect on these salvation words using them as a compass to renew their familial, ecclesial, and social bonds as they prepare to journey as “Pilgrims of Hope” during 2025 Jubilee Year.
The message notes that in the pilgrimage of St Lucy’s relics from Venice to Syracuse, we can see the “mystery of a God who always takes the first step and never asks what He Himself is not willing to do”, and urges the faithful to emulate this divine example by becoming “men and women of the first step” who actively bridge divides and extend kindness.
“St Lucy comes to you so that you, in turn, may be men and women of the first step, sons and daughters of a God who draws near”, he writes.
Pope Francis remarks that the spirit of communion between the Churches of Venice and Syracuse that made the temporary transfer of St Lucy’s relics possible reveal that “there is light where gifts are exchanged” , as opposed to today’s prevalent “falsehood that destroys fraternity and devastates creation.”
St Lucy is a testimony of women’s contribution to the Church
The message goes on to highlight that that Saint Lucy’s witness again illustrates the distinctive contributions of women to the Church which was evident from the very beginning of Christianity through the centuries where women have played irreplaceable roles in spreading the Gospel through their intelligence, love, and vision.
“We need women’s work and voice for an out-going Church that is yeast and light in culture and society” the Pope emphasizes noting that this is even more critical in the heart of the Mediterranean, the cradle of civilization and humanism” which has however tragically become the centre “injustices and imbalances” highlighted by the tragedies of migration.
The Christian “political “virtues of compassion and tenderness
“The martyrdom of St Lucy teaches us to weep, to feel compassion, and to embrace tenderness,” which Pope Francis says, are Christian “but also profoundly political” virtues essential for building more just societies. They restore humanity’s lost vision, enabling individuals to choose life and light over the comforts of indifference.
Educating to listen to the heart
In this regard, Pope Francis further stresses the need to educate ourselves, and especially the younger generations, “to listen to the heart, recognize witnesses, cultivate critical thinking, and obey the conscience” emulating the Saints, who inspire us to confront the complexities of the human condition with courage and not to resign to the idea that “nothing will ever change.”
Remember the poor migrants, refugees who suffer
Concluding the message, Pope Francis urges the community of Syracuse to include the suffering , namely migrants, refugees, and the poor , in their celebrations and invokes the intercession of St Lucy and Our Lady of Tears for the people of Syracuse. – Vatican News
