തിരുസഭയിലെ ആദ്യകാല രക്തസാക്ഷികളിൽ ഏറെ പ്രസിദ്ധയായിരുന്ന വിശുദ്ധ ലൂസിയുടെ തിരുനാൾ. അന്ധരുടെ പ്രത്യേക മദ്ധ്യസ്ഥയാണ് വിശുദ്ധ ലൂസി. ആ പുണ്യവതിയുടെ വിശ്വാസത്തിന്റെയും രക്തസാക്ഷിത്വത്തിന്റെയും ചരിത്രം കേൾക്കാം.
Lucy was born to wealthy noble parents in Syracuse, Italy. She consecrated herself to Jesus and wanted to give her life to the needy and poor. Her mother suffered a bleeding disorder, and without knowing the decision, Lucy had made to God, insisted upon her betrothal to a young noble pagan.At her daughter’s suggestion, Lucy’s mother journeyed with her to the tomb of St Agatha at Catania. St. Agatha appeared before Lucy in a dream and told her that her faith would cure her mother. she discovered that her mother was completely healed and persuaded her to give away their fortunes to the poor. It has been cited that she said “…whatever you give away at death, for the Lord’s sake, you give because you cannot take it with you. Give now to the true Saviour while you are healthy, whatever you intended to give away at your death.” This provoked her worldly-minded fiancé, and he denounced her before the governor of Sicily as a Christian. She was arrested and refused to worship the statue of the emperor Diocletian. They tried to burn her alive, but the flames did not consume her! Her eyes were gouged out before she was put to death by a sword. When her body was prepared for burial, it was discovered that her eyes had been miraculously restored.
The emblem of eyes on a plate indicates popular devotion to her as protector of sight because of her name, Lucia (from the Latin word “lux” which means “light”). In many paintings, St Lucy is holding her eyes on a golden plate and a palm branch, symbolizing martyrdom and victory.
St Lucy, you chose to let your eyes be torn out instead of renouncing the faith and defiling your soul; obtain for us the grace to draw our thoughts toward the greatest light of all – our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.