St. Lucy, December 13
A young Christian of Syracuse, Sicily, Lucy was martyred in 304. Her name means light, and before the Gregorian calendar reform her day fell near the winter solstice. In Sweden, girls wearing crowns of candles walk in processions on Santa Lucia.
On the General Roman Calendar, December 13 is a memorial: Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr.
Name days on December 13
In countries that keep name days, December 13 is the day for people named Lucy, Lucia, and Lucille. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Lucy | December 13 |
| Lucia | December 13 |
| Lucille | December 13 |
December 13 on the calendar
December 13 is the 347th day of the year (the 348th in a leap year), with 18 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | Monday |
| 2028 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | Friday |
Keeping December 13
December 13 falls during Advent. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Lucy, Lucia, and Lucille, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around December 13
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| December 10 | Our Lady of Loreto |
| December 11 | St. Damasus I |
| December 12 | Our Lady of Guadalupe |
| December 14 | St. John of the Cross |
| December 15 | St. Nino of Georgia |
| December 16 | St. Adelaide |
The day before, December 12, is the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The day after, December 14, belongs to St. John of the Cross. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.