Diocese of San Fernando, La Union Bishop Daniel O. Presto will preside over a concelebrated fiesta mass at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Santa Lucia Parish in Aringay, La Union, in solemn commemoration of the Feast of Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia) and the 286th titular fiesta.
A solemn procession will be held at 5 a.m. A holy mass will also be celebrated at 6 a.m.
The praying of the holy rosary, novena, and holy masses in honor of St. Lucy was held from Dec. 4 to 12.
Feast masses will also be offered at the St. Lucy Parish in Sasmuan and in San Fernando, Pampanga; Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur; and in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Known as the patron saint of the blind and those with eye problems, St. Lucy is well venerated in the country.
In Venice, Italy, devotees traditionally gather on her feast day at her major shrine, the Church of San Geremia, where her sacred relics are kept.
Popular in many parts of the world, St. Lucy is one of seven women, excluding the Blessed Mother, who is commemorated by name in the Roman Canon. The Catholic Church recognizes her courage in defense of the faith. She lost her life during the persecution of Christians in the early 4th century.
St. Lucy is also venerated in the Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches.