Later legends say her eyes were put out before she died, which is why she’s often painted holding two eyes on a dish and why she’s the patron of the blind and anyone with eye trouble. Her feast fell on the longest night of the year under the old calendar, so she became a saint of light in the dark. In Sweden on 13 December, girls dressed in white with a crown of candles still lead processions and bring saffron buns at dawn.
Historical Context
A Prayer to St Lucy for Eyesight
St Lucy, your name means light.
Pray for me as I struggle with my eyes.
Ask God to heal my sight, if it is his will,
and to guide the doctors who treat me.
Whatever happens to my physical eyes,
keep the eyes of my soul open to God.
Amen.
Before Eye Surgery
Lord, steady the surgeon’s hands today.
Calm my nerves and bring me through safely.
St Lucy, pray for me.
Amen.
A Prayer for Her Feast Day
Lord, on this dark December day, we thank you for St Lucy,
who stayed faithful when it cost her everything.
Let her light shine in us as we wait for Christmas.
Amen.
For the Blind and Visually Impaired
Lord, bless those who live without sight.
Give them independence, good friends and a world that makes room for them.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 13 December, St Lucy’s feast.
- Before an eye exam, treatment or surgery.
- During Advent, as the nights grow longest.
Scripture Connection
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” — Matthew 6:22
Jesus talks about eyes that see clearly and a body full of light. Lucy’s patronage holds both: healing for our physical sight, and a heart that sees God.
Related prayers
For her feast, see the December 13 Prayer. For sight, the Vision Prayer. For light in the dark, the Prayer for Light.