My grandma's name was Lucía. She was born on the 13th of December. There was a tradition of giving people the name of the saint of the day they were born. That way, they always knew what day they were born.
I don't know the year, but around 1910. The records were destroyed in the war, so a lot of people were given new papers. A common practice was to establish the "reconstructed" date of birth with a year ending in 0 or in 5. Some people got a few extra years, some were made younger by decree.
She had beautiful eyes, of a blue-green hue. She was barely literate, but she was so smart and funny, and a humble and meek believer in God. She got bad luck in her younger years, but she adapted to everything with simplicity, the bad and the good. She prayed the rosary often. The last 15 years of her life were the best, her happiest time.
Our beautiful European legacy. And why not marry the saints and Jesus to the people's religion that came before? I will have branches of balsam and fir and candles in a humble country church over St. Peter's preposterous marble monstrosity any day.
I remember reading my granddaughter the American Girl books that came with the dolls. One doll, with parents from the Old Country, introduced Santa Lucía in the book. It was my first time learning of this beautiful tradition. Also, I have been a part of Christmas concerts where we sang this song .
Thank you, Celia, for all you do for us! It is too much to list! But I appreciate everything you write and send! God bless you and Merry Christmas! 🌲🙏
I read her stunning story yesterday from The Golden Legend (or The Lives of the Saints) and she was such a shining example (pun intended) of the strength of womanhood and martyrdom!
I have a beautiful blind sister who died 4 years ago. She was the sweetest soul and I can hear her singing this song with her lovely voice. 2 days before she died I kept calling her in her nursing home with an urgent feeling I had to speak to her on the phone. The next day she told the nurse to pack all her things that she felt she was going on a wonderful trip! That night she died in her sleep.
Thank you for this beautiful remembrance. I loved her so. No one laughed as she did.
Thank you, Celia, for this as I celebrate my birthday on the feast of this great saint.
Beautiful - and yet strange for me. I had never heard the song as something religious. I just remember my father singing it with his deep voice
Elsa: In Sweden they have made this tradition, though Lucia was a Catholic Saint and martyr, a Pagan holiday. Just as their "Jul" in general is pagan.
I know Yule in general - like the Yuletide log - is pagan, taking the pagan and incorporating it into the new religion.
Beautiful
Thank you
My grandma's name was Lucía. She was born on the 13th of December. There was a tradition of giving people the name of the saint of the day they were born. That way, they always knew what day they were born.
I don't know the year, but around 1910. The records were destroyed in the war, so a lot of people were given new papers. A common practice was to establish the "reconstructed" date of birth with a year ending in 0 or in 5. Some people got a few extra years, some were made younger by decree.
She had beautiful eyes, of a blue-green hue. She was barely literate, but she was so smart and funny, and a humble and meek believer in God. She got bad luck in her younger years, but she adapted to everything with simplicity, the bad and the good. She prayed the rosary often. The last 15 years of her life were the best, her happiest time.
We all remember her often.
Our beautiful European legacy. And why not marry the saints and Jesus to the people's religion that came before? I will have branches of balsam and fir and candles in a humble country church over St. Peter's preposterous marble monstrosity any day.
I look forward to your Santa Lucia posts each year! Thank you!
A poignant presentation of beauty and spiritual grace. Thank you.
angelic voices 💕
I remember reading my granddaughter the American Girl books that came with the dolls. One doll, with parents from the Old Country, introduced Santa Lucía in the book. It was my first time learning of this beautiful tradition. Also, I have been a part of Christmas concerts where we sang this song .
Thank you, Celia, for all you do for us! It is too much to list! But I appreciate everything you write and send! God bless you and Merry Christmas! 🌲🙏
I read her stunning story yesterday from The Golden Legend (or The Lives of the Saints) and she was such a shining example (pun intended) of the strength of womanhood and martyrdom!
Nice, but I'm not brave enough to walk with candles in my hair.
I’ve never heard of an advent calendar until this series of posts.
I have a beautiful blind sister who died 4 years ago. She was the sweetest soul and I can hear her singing this song with her lovely voice. 2 days before she died I kept calling her in her nursing home with an urgent feeling I had to speak to her on the phone. The next day she told the nurse to pack all her things that she felt she was going on a wonderful trip! That night she died in her sleep.
Thank you for this beautiful remembrance. I loved her so. No one laughed as she did.