杏MAP导航

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 13 December. 

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 鈥渓ight 鈥� (Lux) and is also venerated worldwide as the Protector of Sight,  with celebrations culminating on 13 December, 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 20 December.

This year, to mark the beginning of the 鈥淵ear 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 杏MAP导航 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鈥檚 world. 

God brings light

鈥淭he affection that binds you to St. Lucy has brought you back to one of the most ancient Christian convictions: 鈥楪od is light, and in Him, there is no darkness,鈥� 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 鈥淧ilgrims of Hope鈥� during  2025 Jubilee Year.

The message notes that in the pilgrimage of St. Lucy鈥檚 relics from Venice to Syracuse,  we can see the 鈥渕ystery 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 鈥渕en and women of the first step鈥� 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鈥�, he writes.

杏MAP导航 Francis remarks  that the spirit of communion between the Churches of Venice and Syracuse that  made the temporary transfer of St. Lucy鈥檚 relics possible  reveal that 鈥渢here is light where gifts are exchanged鈥� , as opposed  to today's prevalent 鈥渇alsehood that destroys fraternity and devastates creation.鈥�

St. Lucy is a testimony of women's contribution to the Church

The message goes on to highlight that that Saint Lucy鈥檚 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.

鈥淲e need women鈥檚 work and voice  for  an out-going Church that is yeast and light in culture and society鈥� the 杏MAP导航 emphasizes noting that this is even more critical in the heart of the Mediterranean, the cradle of civilization and humanism鈥�  which has however tragically become the centre  鈥渋njustices and imbalances鈥� highlighted by the tragedies of migration. 

The Christian  "political "virtues of compassion and tenderness

鈥淭he martyrdom of St. Lucy teaches us to weep, to feel compassion, and to embrace tenderness," which 杏MAP导航 Francis says, are Christian 鈥渂ut also profoundly political鈥� virtues essential for building more just societies.  They restore humanity鈥檚 lost vision, enabling individuals to choose life and light over the comforts of indifference. 

Educating to listen to the heart

In this regard, 杏MAP导航 Francis further stresses the need to educate ourselves, and especially the younger generations, 鈥渢o listen to the heart, recognize witnesses, cultivate critical thinking, and obey the conscience鈥� 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, 杏MAP导航 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.