The celebrations in honor of Saint Lucy, the patron saint of blind people and those suffering sight and eyes diseases, are very much felt especially in Northern Europe. Furthermore, in Italy it is customary, and especially in the areas of Verona, Bergamo, Palermo and Syracuse, to charge the Saint with the somewhat unusual function of acting as a “substitute” of Santa Claus and bring gifts to the children. It is a tradition that has its roots in very distant times and is linked to an epidemic of the past.
Saint Lucy or Santa Claus?
Saint Lucy is the patron saint of eyes and sight. Her name is reminiscent of the light and the story connected to her experience is beautiful, although there are two versions (one more poetic and the other more macabre) and neither is exactly “certain”. What is certain is that Saint Lucia died due to martyrdom. This has very little to do, however, with the fact that the Saint contends the title of “bearer of Christmas gifts” with Santa Claus, in some areas of Italy. The legend linked to this bizarre tradition, which not everyone knows, is typical in some areas of northern Italy and Sicily, and the children know it very well.
Santa Lucia: the story
Quella di Saint Lucy is the story of a martyrdom. The celebration of her day is linked to deeply felt celebrations, especially in the Nordic countries, Finland and Sweden. In these countries her “arrival” totally replaces the tradition of Santa Claus, while in some areas of Italy the two occurrences mingle somewhat. In any case, if you are wondering why Saint Lucy brings gifts to children, there is a Veronese theory that seems to explain it perfectly.
Basically, in very distant times, due to an epidemic that mainly affected children and struck their sight, the parents decided to organize a procession in honor of the saint. Given the cold and precarious health conditions, the little ones would have refused to participate, and precisely for this reason the parents were “forced” to offer them gifts to bribe them in taking part in the procession. So, since then, on the night of December 12, the children of some areas of Italy are waiting for their gifts, while on the morning of the 13th they are taken to church for the blessing of the eyes.
Where to celebrate the tradition of Saint Lucy?
Credits: Le città del Miele
The tradition of Saint Lucy as a bearer of gifts is celebrated in many places in Italy. The interested areas are mainly those of the North. In Vicenza children usually leave a shoe outside the window, along with a piece of bread, for the Saint, and a little milk for her donkey. In the province of Bergamo, however, the gifts are expected only after having written and delivered the letter to the church of Santa Lucia, in via XX Settembre. In Sicily, on the other hand, especially in the areas of Palermo, it is customary to totally banish bread, pasta and derivatives. The protagonist of the day is rice, used to prepare “la ciuccia” (a typical flan) and the famous arancini.
What does Saint Lucy bring as a gift?
In some cities of Italy, Saint Lucy “replaces” Santa Claus. In others, however, she simply supports it. The tradition of Saint Lucy is very much felt in Bergamo, a little ‘less in the other municipalities that celebrate it. In any case, precisely because it is close to the Christmas celebrations, Saint Lucy is meant to bring the classic Christmas gifts to children that usually would be brought by Santa Claus. Important gifts, therefore, and highly anticipated by children, obviously depending on the budget made available by each family.