St. Lucy

Lucy's Diary

"Ut legas sanctae Luciae verba, lucerna utere."

I read this statement slowly, not sure what it meant. At my school, we sang songs in Latin and I have learned a little bit throughout the years, so I tried to pick apart the sentence to see what it could mean. I know "sanctae Luciae" must mean St. Lucy. "Lucerna" could mean oil lamp because I know in photos of St. Lucy she is carrying one. I started to look around the room, and to my surprise I saw an oil lamp on the right side of the table! I brought it to the diary and miraculously, the lamp turned on. Before my eyes, the statement "Ut legas sanctae Luciae verba, lucerna utere." translated into English saying " To read the words of St. Lucy, use the oil lamp."

304 AD

ante diem octavum Kalendas Novembres (October 25th)

I love my mother, and I know she arranged my marriage because she thought it would be best for me. Castor is a rich, young man who promised my mother that he would take care of me. Going against my wishes, my mother chose a Pagan man for me. She is slowly dying, and I started to lose hope that she would live. I agreed to marry him just for now, in order to keep her happy. At the same time, I kept my faith strong and prayed so much for her, and I finally received a sign! Last night I had a dream of St. Agatha. She told me that my mother would be cured because of my faith and that I would be the glory of Syracuse. Since then, I have persuaded Mom to allow me to donate most of our riches to the poor. Before he died, Father left us a lot of money, too much for us to know what to do with. Because I would be rewarded with my mother's health, I had to give something in return that would help people other than myself.

ante diem tertium Kalendas Novembres (October 30th)

I long to escape this place where I am at and dedicate my life to God, but I'm not sure I will be able to leave in time. I do not want to get married to Castor. He has been pretty hostile towards me and hasn't accepted me for who I am. He is very selfish and does not agree with my calling to serve the poor. I have already done so much to help the poor, but there is still so much to do. Even if I were to marry my betrothed, it would never work out. I fear what he will do to me, but I cannot let go of my faith and my calling to serve. It is who I am, and nobody can take that away from me. While we were together, I told Castor about my dream of St. Agatha and the donations my mother and I had made. He immediately got defensive and started to yell at me. He ran out in a hurry, and I haven't heard or seen him since.

ante diem quartum Nonas Novembres (November 2nd)

Castor has done a terrible thing. I knew he was selfish, but this is something I did not expect him to do. He has told Paschasius, the Governor of Syracuse, that I am a Christian. He has ordered me to burn a sacrifice in the emperor's image, but I refused. I don't know how much longer I have to live. Paschasius has been persecuting Christians for as long as I remember. I have helped these Christians hiding in the catacombs by giving them food and drink. We have prayed together and hoped for this persecution to stop. They are going to come to arrest me and probably kill me. Is this what St. Agatha meant when she said I would be the glory of Syracuse in my dream? I know I should be terrified, but surprisingly I am not. My faith is stronger than ever, and I know that God will protect me through what I am about to go through.

ante diem tertium Nonas Novembres (November 3rd)

It is the middle of the night, and in the distance, I can hear a group of horses coming towards my house. I know they come for me. I went to the bed where my mother lay and kissed her on the cheek.

This will probably be my last diary entry. I will leave this diary in a secret cabinet behind my bed. My mother knows that I hide my things in here. Whoever comes across this, I have a few words of advice. Never give up on who you are and fight for what you believe in. Be selfless, help the people less fortunate than you are, and never settle for someone who doesn't love you in the way you deserve.