Tag: santa lucia

  • Sicily’s Santa Lucia Lights The Darkness

    Santa Lucia, the protectress of light, eyes, and grain, is a guide for us during these darkest days of the year. Darkness signifies more than just the absence of light. It challenges us to turn inwards and perhaps examine our shadows. This time of year, when the sun sets so early in the day, it…

  • Themes of Women’s Worlds in Sicily

    Traveling with mostly women, I decided to focus on a subject that warms my heart, that of Santa Lucia. We started with seeing the Caravaggio, painted in 1608, that recreates the moments surrounding her martyrdom. One of the things that has recently come into focus for me about this painting is the two women grieving.…

  • Ex-Votos in Sicily for Santa Lucia

    At the sanctuary devoted to Santa Lucia in Siracusa, pilgrims offer ex-votos shaped like eyes. Ex-votos are iconographic body parts or other symbols that are offered to a divinity or spirit guide as gratitude for healing or grace received. The eyes and heart pictured here represent ailments of the eyes (Need some insight or help…

  • The Mystery Of Eyes On A Plate

    You can easily identify Santa Lucia because she holds eyes on a plate. In my last post I mentioned that she denied her promised dowery and hand in marriage to a young pagan man during a period in the early 4th century when Christianity was illegal. Well, she wanted to devote herself to Jesus, and…

  • Santa Lucia in New York City, December 10

    Viva Santa Lucia! The Feast of Saint Lucy is approaching. On Sunday, December 10, join me in New York City for our annual lunch to recognize the power of this ancient patroness of light, eyes, sight, insight, and wheat. Lucia lived in the late 3rd century. An early Christian, she devoted herself to Jesus and…

  • Santa Lucia Will Light Our Way: Join Us On Dec. 10 in New York City

    Today in NY the day grew dark very early. This is when I know that the Feast of Santa Lucia is drawing close. On Sun., Dec. 10 at Cacio e Pepe restaurant in New York City, we’ll gather together for our annual Sicilian-inspired luncheon for the patroness of light, eyes, insight, and wheat. It’s time…

  • Santa Lucia Was Grounded In Her Faith

    On Sunday in New York City, we will celebrate Santa Lucia with a traditional lunch at Pasta Eater restaurant prepared by guest che Giuseppe Sciurca. Full, four-course menu (including cuccìa), live concertino of Sicilian songs, raffle of Sicily-inspired products, and an altar and presentation for Santa Lucia. Register at https://experiencesicily.com/events/festa-di-santa-lucia/ Santa Lucia was born in…

  • Santa Lucia In New York City 2022

    Eyes on a plate: This is how one identifies Santa Lucia, the patroness of light, grain, wheat, and eyes. Legend is that her eyes were gouged out either to make herself unattractive to her pagan betrothed or upon her arrest when Roman soldiers could not move her from where she stood. She was a determined…

  • Santa Lucia in New York City 2022

    The shadows come early these days in the northern hemisphere. Santa Lucia, illustrated in this 1526 Gagini statue from the Duomo of Siracusa, reminds us to follow the light. Join Experience Sicily in New York City on Sunday, December 11 to celebrate the Feast of Santa Lucia at Pasta Eater. Featuring guest Sicilian chef Giuseppe…