The Acts of her Passion, written in the 5th century or later, are completely legendary. Still, the historicity of Saint Lucy herself is certain, thanks to the discovery in 1894 of a burial inscription marking her tomb (loculus) in the catacombs of Syracuse. This inscription dates back to the early 5th century and is the first historical testimony of her veneration. Her cult spread quickly, even to the East. It was probably Pope Gregory the Great who added Saint Lucy’s name to the canon of the Mass.
The most popular part of her legend is the story of her eyes, which she is said to have torn out as an offering to Christ. But this tale does not belong to the original Acts; it was added later, borrowed from the legend of another saint named Lucy. The story most likely arose from a popular etymology of her name: Lucia from lux, lucis—meaning “light” or “sight.” Because of this, she came to be honored as the patron saint of the blind.
