In December 1951, Rev. E. Arthur Larson, professor of Swedish,
introduced the Lucia custom to the PLU campus. At 5:30 on a cold,
December morning, a group of female Swedish language students were
honored with a visit from Sankta Lucia. The white-robed saint, wearing
a crown of candles and a red satin sash, knocked at the doors of
Harstad Hall. In her hands were a plate of cookies and a pot of
fresh-brewed coffee. The saint's real name was Lola (Murk) Gracey '54
who currently lives in Seattle, Washington. The crown worn by Lola over
50 years ago is a part of the SCC's permanent artifact collection.
From it's humble beginnings, the Sanka Lucia Fest has become a
time-honored tradition at PLU. Lucia Fest is now a gala and festive
event that takes place in the university's Mary Baker Russell Music
Center, Lagerquist Hall. Following the hour-long program of Swedish
music and song, guests are invited to a reception in the Scandinavian
Cultural Center where they enjoy Swedish refreshments, live music, and
dancing around the Christmas tree.
A more recent addition to the Lucia celebrations is a trip in
December to the IKEA store in Renton. Periodically throughout the day,
Lucia and her attendants sing several Christmas carols at the front of
the store before singing "Sankta Lucia" as they go through the store
holding illuminated candles.
Lucia was born to a wealthy family of the nobility in Syracuse on
the island of Sicily in the year 284 AD. Her name derives from lux,
meaning light. Her father died when she was still an infant and her
mother raised her in the new Christian faith. At an early age, Lucia
made a secret vow to remain a virgin and to devote her life to serving
Christ and the poor. When she came of age, her mother wanted her to
marry a man who was not a Christian. During this time her mother became
ill, so she and Lucia would go to the tomb of St. Agatha to pray for
her mother to be cured. Her mother was cured and, at this time, Lucia
told her mother of her secret vow. Her mother, being grateful for being
healed, agreed to this. Lucia kept her dowry and distributed it amongst
the poor of her village. Her suitor was very unhappy at losing the
beautiful young woman and her dowry. He reported Lucia to the
authorities as aiding and abetting the Christians. This was, of course,
during the time when Christians were being persecuted, thrown to the
lions, and burned at the stake. When Lucia refused to renounce her
Christian faith, she was ordered burned at the stake. The fire would
not light, so she was stabbed with a sword. Lucia became a martyr, as
many others had before her.
It isn't exactly known how the legend of Lucia traveled north to become
part of the traditions of Sweden and the other Nordic countries.
Perhaps it came through tales of Viking travelers. Some believe it came
through Germany and traveled north by seamen and traders. One story
tells of Lucia coming on a ship, in the cold, dark winter, bringing
food during a famine in Sweden. Under the old Julian calendar, December
13th was the shortest day and longest night of the year. This was the
day Lucia came bringing light and hope in their darkest time of year.
In more recent times, the tradition has changed. A daughter of the
house, usually the eldest, rises very early on December 13th, Lucia
Day, bringing coffee and saffron buns to her parents and family. She
wears a white dress and has a wreath of candles on her head. Lucia
celebrations also take place in towns, churches, and schools throughout
the country.