Review: Patron Saint of Eye Ailments
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 3, 2013
Saint Lucy of Syracuse is one the Church's earliest and greatest virgin martyrs even though little of the actual details of her life are known. She lived over 1700 years ago in Syracuse Sicily when Christians were persecuted by the Roman emperor Diocletian.Her mother was not a Christian but became one after receiving a miraculous cure  from St. Agatha  for chronic hemorrhaging after she and  Lucy spent a night of devotion at St. Agatha's tomb.  Her mother then allowed her to devote her life to Christ instead of marrying the pagan she was promised too.He fiance was outraged by this and subjected her to many  punishments.  One legend says her eyes were plucked out that is why she is the patron of eye ailments..  Another legend says she plucked them out herself  so he would not think she was so beautiful.Pope Gregory the Great added her name to the canon of the mass back in the 6th century and her following has grown since then.She is also honored by denominations other then the Catholic Church including Lutherans and Anglicans.  She is celebrated in Sweden as St. Lucia.My mother who was born a Lutheran always celebrated her feast day December 13th by baking gingerbread cookies and sweet buns.  And she told us the stories her mother told her from  back in Austria.  On St. Lucy's feast the oldest daughter would come down the stairs wearing a headdress of candles , a white dress  and a red sash and serve a breakfast of sweet cakes to the family.The Life and Prayers of Saint Lucy of Syracuseis a wonderful book for any Christian to own and have on their kindle.  Any of the Wyatt North books are great.  I would also recommend theCatholic Prayer Book - Enhanced