Today is a great Catholic feast day in many countries in the world. Saint Lucy’s Day celebrates the great virgin and martyr who died in defense of the Catholic faith in the year 304. This day is a major holiday in Italy, Hungary, Croatia, the Philippines, and several Scandinavian countries, where it is celebrated with prayer, processions, special food, and music.

Saint Lucy has been revered as a miracle worker and intercessor from the era of the early Church with great popularity in the Middle Ages until now. Because her martyrdom included her eyes being torn out by her persecutors, she is the patron of eyesight or of the blind.

It is not merely our physical eyesight that needs protection. The habit of addiction causes spiritual and mental blindness in those who suffer from it. Very often, the person addicted cannot even see the problem at hand. The destructive effects of the drug of choice are somehow invisible and the addict persists in them. Therefore, we can turn to Saint Lucy for protection and consider her patronage in our recovery from the blindness of addiction.

This is the perfect opportunity for prayer to Saint Lucy—that she would open our eyes and the eyes of all suffering from untreated addiction so that they may see and believe in the power of God. Knowing our own faults and our powerlessness to stop the addiction ourselves comes from that gift of true spiritual vision.

Reflection Questions

• How do you respond to Jesus’ encouragement to find rest in Him?
• How have your spiritual eyes been opened about yourself and the nature of your addiction?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10
Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection by Bill B.