The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ST LUCY'S DAY - PATRON OF THE EYES

A PROMISE IS MADE BY ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES BY
NOT EATING ANYTHING MADE WITH FLOUR - SO THE SUBSTITUTION IS MADE
BY SERVING RICE, POTATOES AND WHEAT MADE INTO FOODS WHICH WILL TAKE
THE PLACE OF BREAD.
THE SACRIFICE IS NOT FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, BUT FOR SOMEONE THEY
MAY KNOW WHO MAY HAVE TROUBLE WITH THEIR EYES OR EVEN FOR THE
WHOLE CLAN TO PROTECT THEIR EYES FROM ANY HARM. CUSTOMS ORIGINATE,
AS ONE KNOWS, FROM THE ANCIENT BELIEFS THAT SOMEONE WAS HELPED BY A
PERSON'S SACRIFICE AND OF COURSE THE WORD TRAVELED AROUND THE
COUNTRYSIDE AND THE CUSTOM BEGAN. AS WITH ALL CUSTOMS, THEY HAVE
BECOME ALMOST EXTINCT IN PRESENT-DAY ITALY. CELEBRATED DECEMBER 13TH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Date learned: 10-31-1971