The pure and beautiful Lucia was known to enter the dark catacombs of Siracusa, lighting her way with a torch in order to feed less fortunate, early Christians. It was the dawn of the 4th century, and practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled capital was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s patron saint, Sant’Agata, who lived just a few decades before (from 231 AD – 251 AD), Lucia had devoted herself to Christianity, so much so that she planned to give her dowry to the poor. Regretfully, however, her widowed and sick mother had already arranged for Lucia to be married to a wealthy pagan. When the young man heard of Lucia’s wish to distribute her dowry in the name of Christianity, in retaliation, he contacted authorities, who sentenced Lucia to work in a brothel. Like Sant’Agata of Catania before her, she refused to participate in the activities of the bordello. This of course, angered the madame, and the authorities were called to further punish Lucia. Somewhere in this mayhem, the beautiful maiden’s eyes were either gouged out by the Roman soldiers or she marred herself to make herself unattractive to the pagan to whom she was promised in marriage and/or the clients at the brothel. Meanwhile, when the Romans showed up …

(to be continued)….

Just a handful of spots left for Sunday’s Festa di Santa Lucia in New York City at Cacio e Vino! Menu, Register, and more info at https://experiencesicily.com/events/festa-di-santa-lucia/