Saint Lucia, the longest night there is

Santa Lucia, whose name comes from the Latin word lux – “born with light” – is remembered on December 13th.

She is remembered as a protector of sight because it is said that she was deprived of her eyes, or even that she herself was deprived of it, so as not to go against her own principles. She is also considered patroness of light, which is why her feast was placed in the days immediately before the winter solstice, when daylight (in Europe) is lower.

Lucia was promised in marriage to a suitor but decided to break off the engagement in order to remain faithful to her consecration to God and to be able to live in poverty, distributing her riches to the poor.

Hence the tradition, in many regions of northern Italy and Europe, of receiving gifts on the night between 12 and 13 December. The little ones have to go to bed early and leave some food for Saint Lucia and hay for the donkey who drives her cart. The Saint passes by scattering a powder that makes children close their eyes and makes them sleep as soon as possible, “depriving them” of sight, so as not to be discovered.