The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee asked St. Lucy for intercession in honor of her feast day. 

“Today is the Feast of St. Lucy, virgin and martyr. Venerated by Christians since her own time, St. Lucy was likely martyred in Sicily, probably during the persecutions of Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled 284-305.

The occasion is celebrated worldwide, particularly in Sweden, Norway and various parts of Finland. Often venerated with a festival, St. Lucia’s Day also brings out children dressed in white, with girls wearing a wreath of light on their head. The children march and dance across town, representing the light that the Christmas season symbolizes as it illuminates that darkest time of the year. St. Lucy’s name is also translated similarly, meaning “light” and “lucid,” the website Catholic reports.

“Lucy, whose name suggests light, is among the saints listed in the canon of the Mass,” the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee posted on its Facebook page. “She is the patron saint of electricians and ophthalmologists. Christians pray for her intercession regarding diseases of the eyes. St. Lucy, please pray for us!”

Saint Lucy, also known as St. Lucia, who came from a wealthy Sicilian family, wasn’t interested in material good, but was instead inspired by St. Agatha, who remained a virgin.

After being sent away to a brothel by Roman authorities, Lucy became immobilized through what many consider to be a divine intervention. Once Roman officials found out she could no longer serve at the brothels, Lucy was sentenced to death. Initially, they attempted to kill her in a fire, but upon realizing she couldn’t burn, she was killed with a sword, Britannica reports.