Candle of Saint Lucia
Protection of the eyes, clarity to see the path, and the support of the martyr of Syracuse
Candle of Saint Lucia
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Saint Lucia candle is for those who fear losing their sight, or for those who can no longer see their own path clearly. Lucia is the patron saint of vision, the blind, and ophthalmologists, and in Brazil, devotion to her crosses the Northeast, with a large festival in Mossoró, and reaches the homes of those who light a candle before a consultation. The white candle carries the meaning of the name: Lucia comes from light.
Lucia was born in Syracuse, Sicily, and was killed around 304, during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, for refusing to sacrifice to the gods of the empire. The story of the torn-out eyes only appears in much later accounts, but it became her most well-known portrait, with the plate in her hands. In Candomblé, the date of December 13 is also remembered for Ewá (Yewa), the orixá (orisha) of clairvoyance, in an approach that changes from house to house.
At home, this candle asks for a clean corner and an honest prayer request. It accompanies the eye drops, the consultation, and the surgery, and does not take the place of any of them. It also serves for another type of vision: that of someone who is confused, afraid to choose, and wants to see more calmly what lies ahead.
What is it for
What is the Saint Lucy Candle for
The Saint Lucia candle is white like the light in her name. It is lit by those who care for vision, by those who will undergo an eye exam or surgery, by those who need clarity in a decision, and to give thanks on December 13.
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Protect the eyes and vision
For those who have an eye disease, use glasses that are getting stronger, or care for an elderly person who is losing their vision. Light it asking for care and good medical follow-up.
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Protection before eye surgery
Cataract, glaucoma, cornea transplant: light it in the days before the operation, asking for a steady hand for the surgeon and calmness for the one entering the room.
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See a decision with clarity
Saint Lucia is also remembered by those who are lost. When your head is spinning and you do not know where to go, the candle asks for discernment to see things as they are.
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Care for the children's vision
Many mothers light it for Saint Lucia when their child starts wearing glasses or has their first eye exam. It is a prayer request for protection for those who are still growing.
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Give thanks on December 13
On the saint's day, those who received a grace light the candle in thanks, go to mass, or join the procession. It is also a day to renew the promise made during the year.
To whom it is dedicated
Devotion to Saint Lucy
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Saint Lucia
The martyr of Syracuse, patron saint of the eyes
Young Sicilian woman killed in Diocletian's persecution for not renouncing her faith. She is shown with the palm of martyrdom, the lamp, and, in popular prints, the plate with the eyes. The white of the candle speaks of the light in her name.
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Ewá
Orixá of clairvoyance, associated with the saint
In Candomblé houses, December 13 is also the date of Ewá, the orixá who sees far. Those who follow this syncretism light red and yellow for her. Many houses do not make the connection, and the two remain distinct.
Know Ewá
Also lit by
- Devotees of Saint Lucia
- Romeiros of Mossoró
- Brotherhoods of Saint Lucia
Prayer to light
Candle prayer of Saint Lucy for the light of the eyes
“Saint Lucia, girl from Syracuse who kept her faith standing before the governor, look now at my eyes and at the eyes of those I love. I light this white light because I fear the darkness that illness brings. Guide the doctor's hands, give effect to the medicine and patience for the treatment. And when I do not know which way to go, also open the eyes within, so I can see with calm what is before me. I do not ask you for a miracle in a shop window, I ask for company in the waiting and courage to care for myself. May this flame stay firm like the lamp you carry in your hand. Long live Saint Lucia! Amen.”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Candle of Saint Lucy
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Choose a bright corner of the house
Prefer a well-lit place, away from curtains. For the saint of light, a dark and cramped corner does not match. Clean the surface and place the print or the statue, if you have one.
- 2
Place the water by the side
The glass of water stays near the candle as a sign of cleansing. Those who follow the syncretism with Ewá also remember the springs and sources of the orixá. Change the water if it becomes cloudy.
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Say the name of the person in need
Before lighting, say the name of the person who will undergo surgery, have an exam, or receive eye treatment. If the prayer request is for clarity in a choice, state with sincerity what the doubt is.
- 4
Light and pray calmly
Light it with a match and offer the candle to Saint Lucy. Pray the prayer of this page or the one that comes from the heart, and if you wish, complete it with an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
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Let the candle finish on its own
Do not blow it out. If you need to leave, smother it with a lid and light it again upon returning. At the end, the water goes into the soil of a pot and the leftover wax, wrapped in paper, goes to the trash.
Precautions before lighting
- The candle does not replace the ophthalmologist, the eye drops, or the surgery. Have the exams, follow the prescription, and use faith as a companion to the treatment.
- No tea, holy water, or herbs inside the eyes. Putting homemade substances in the eyes can cause a serious infection. What goes into the eyes is only what the doctor prescribes.
- A 7-day candle stays lit for many hours: leave it on ceramic or glass, away from curtains, paper, and out of reach of children and pets.
- If you are from a terreiro and want to worship Ewá, the one who guides color, day, and offering is the zelador of your house. The Saint Luzia candle is a Catholic devotion.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Saint Luzia candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Clear, high, and firm flame
Many devotees read this as a prayer request well received. It is a sign to follow the treatment with confidence and maintain faith while the answer does not arrive.
- Attention
Low flame that trembles without wind
Some read this as the anxiety of the one who made the request. Breathe, talk again with the doctor about your doubts, and pray again with more calm.
- Attention
Dark smoke in the cup
It could be a large wick or a poor quality wax candle. Some houses read this as weight in the environment: clean the corner, change the water, and light it again another day.
- Observe
Wick that divides into two
Almost always it is something about the wick. Some see a choice between two paths. Trim the tip and use the candle to think calmly about the decision.
- Good sign
Candle that burns clean until the end
A clean cup and all wax consumed are usually read as an accepted thank you. Keep the memory and light it again on the next December 13.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that combine with the Saint Luzia candle
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Erva-de-São-João / Mentrasto
Ageratum conyzoides
Mentrasto is also called erva-de-santa-luzia. A dry branch next to the candle decorates the corner. Never drip any herbal tea into the eyes.
See the herb -
White Rose
Rosa alba
White roses in a glass next to the candle are the simplest decoration for the saint. The petals become a ritual bath of peace from the neck down before praying.
See the herb -
chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
A chamomile tea taken before lighting helps those who are nervous about surgery. It is to calm the body, it is not medicine for the eyes.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Saint Lucy Candle now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Saint Lucia Candle
What is the Saint Lucia candle for?
It serves to ask for protection of the eyes and vision, support before an eye exam or surgery, and clarity to see a decision. It is a popular Catholic devotion and accompanies medical treatment, without ever replacing a consultation.
What is Saint Lucy's Day and when to light the candle?
Her day is December 13, the date of her death in Syracuse around 304. During the week there is no fixed day: light it when needed, in the morning or on the eve of a consultation. Houses that follow Ewá usually remember Saturday.
Is Saint Lucia the same thing as Ewá?
No. Saint Lucia is a Christian martyr from Sicily, and Ewá is the orixá of the springs and clairvoyance in Candomblé. Some houses brought the two together because of vision and the date, but many do not make this connection, and each follows its own tradition.
Why does Saint Lucia appear with a plate of eyes?
Because later accounts say her eyes were torn out during the martyrdom. Ancient sources speak of death by sword to the neck. The plate became the most popular attribute, alongside the palm of martyrdom and the lit lamp.
Can I blow out the candle of Saint Lucy and light it again?
You can, when it is necessary to leave or sleep safely. Do not blow: smother the flame with a lid or a saucer and light it again later. The ideal is to let the candle finish on its own, following the time of the prayer request.
What to do with the leftover wax of Saint Lucy's candle?
The leftover wax can be wrapped in paper and put in the common trash. The water from the cup goes to the soil of a pot or the backyard. If you used roses, they can also return to the earth when they wither.
Can I light Saint Lucy's candle at home for another person?
You can. It is common to light it for a mother, an elderly father, or for a son who is going to have eye surgery. Say the person's name when lighting it and, if they are of another faith, ask with respect, without imposing the devotion.
