December 13, St. Lucia is venerated all over Italy, particularly in Siracusa, her native town. Lucy’s name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear, radiant, understandable." She lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith. Statues of Lucy are holding a dish with two eyes on it. This refers to another legend in which Lucy’s eyes were put out by Diocletian as part of his torture. That’s the way St. Lucia is the Protectress of sight.