Sankta Lucia
The Legend of Sankta Lucia
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’s 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.
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.
The Sankta Lucia Fest has been an annual tradition at Pacific Lutheran University for seventy years. It is a very important tradition to the people of Sweden, and it is our desire to keep the tradition alive for Swedes and other Scandinavians in this area. Although it is not a religious ceremony, the Sankta Lucia celebration marks the beginning of the Christmas season, in Sweden and at Pacific Lutheran University.
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.
Sankta Lucia Candle Ceremony
Sankta Lucia brought light to the people, and her crown of candles is a symbol of that gift, bearing a similarity to an Advent wreath, which reminds us of the gift of Christ. Each candle in the crown represents a different virtue of Lucia’s character, a reminder of that which lights our lives: hope, mercy, purity, dedication, and faith.
The first candle is the candle of hope. Lucia represents the hope of the coming Christmas season, bringing the birth of a small babe who would be the Light of the World. His birth, life, death, and resurrection bring hope for all time. May this candle of hope burn bright through the Christmas season and throughout the year.
We light the second candle, the candle of mercy. The legend of Lucia commemorates showing mercy to all of God’s people, rich and poor alike. May the spirit of mercy shine in our lives and illuminate the years of those around us.
The third candle, the candle of purity, burns in remembrance of Lucia’s youthful innocence. May we, by the radiance of this candle, be mindful to allow a child-like purity to permeate our lives.
The candle of dedication is the fourth candle we light. Lucia remained true to her faith through persecution and even unto death. May our dedication burn as boldly with dedication and conviction.
The fifth and final candle is the candle of faith. We see in Lucia that her faith was the guide and motivation for life. The light of faith shines in the night, illuminating our path, which would otherwise be dark. Let us pray that we live by our faith with the same hope, mercy, purity, and dedication as Sankta Lucia.
Sankta Lucia Scholarship
PLU Students who wish to apply for the Lucia scholarship are required to submit an essay (essay topic is on the application form) and have a personal interview with the Lucia scholarship committee. Students are also welcome to participate in the event if they choose not to submit the essay (but will not be considered for the scholarship). Please join us for this fun annual event.
No more applications are currently being accepted. Check back next semester for more detailed application information.
Brief History of Lucia Fest at PLU
In December 1950, 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 from Seattle, Washington. The crown worn by Lola over 50 years ago is a part of the SCC’s permanent artifact collection.
It quickly caught on, and soon the Sanka Lucia Fest became a tradition at PLU. The sophomore student association, called the SPURS, organized a Lucia festival every year from 1954 on. Students went from dorm to dorm, singing the Lucia song and bringing each other treats during Finals week. The crowning of a sophomore as PLU’s Lucia took place as program in Chris Knutzen Hall for many years, often crowned by the head of the Associated Student Body.
In the 1990s, the Scandinavian Cultural Center took over running the program, with the leadership and assistance of Kerstin Ringdahl, University Archivist and authentic Swede. She secured sponsorship of the Lucia Program by turning to the biggest Swedish company in North America, IKEA! IKEA generously supported the Lucia program by providing food, covering the costs of the program, and giving the PLU student participants in the ceremony a gift certificate and an opportunity to perform at IKEA in Tukwila! Many PLU students enjoyed those trips in the PLU van up to IKEA, singing Christmas carols the whole way.
From 2000 until 2013, the Lucia Fest took place in the university’s Mary Baker Russell Music Center, Lagerquist Hall, a beautiful facility. Following the hour-long program of Swedish music and song, guests followed a candle-lit path to a reception in the Scandinavian Cultural Center. The program moved to the newly-renovated Eastvold Auditorium in the Karen Hille Phillips Performing Arts Center in 2014. In 2018 and 2019, the Lucia Celebration took place in the Scandinavian Cultural Center. In 2020, due to the pandemic, Lucia was done by video on YouTube. The festival was back in the Scandinavian Cultural Center in 2021 and remains there through today.