Staff Writer- August von Seth
On Thursday, Dec. 11th at 11.30 a.m., the Office of Marketing and Communication will organize its 84th St. Lucia celebration in Christ Chapel. The oldest continuous holiday tradition at Gustavus, it is a distinct part of the college’s Swedish roots.
“The message is that we can all be a light in the world for someone else. Rooted in Swedish and Christian culture, the story carries universal inspiration,” Advisor to the Guild of St. Lucia and Senior Director of Brand Experiences and Engagement Barb Taylor said.
Various St. Lucia festivities trace back to 19th-century Sweden, where they have come to be refined and standardized in tandem with the emergence of a single national consciousness. Inherited from the Catholic Church, it is primarily Sweden that celebrates the holiday, which commemorates Saint Lucy of Syracuse, a charitable Christian woman persecuted for her faith by Roman authorities around 300 AD. The holiday is traditionally celebrated on the anniversary of her death.
Highlighting the saint’s inspirational story, the Latin-speaking Catholic Church customarily associated her with lux—light—in times of figurative darkness. Coincidentally, her time of death falls around the Winter Solstice, when sunlight is relatively scant. It is based on this mythological origin that women dressing up as St. Lucia wear head ornaments with candles, live or electric.
Drawing upon a concept coined by a Stockholm newspaper in 1928, Gustavus has been running St. Lucia competitions since 1941.
“The tradition is tied to the legend of Lucia, who was martyred at age 20, so Sophomores are selected. The qualities emphasized are leadership, strength of character, service to others, and compassion,” Taylor said.
A multi-round voting process that started in October has so far yielded a group of six nominees for the Lucia crowning. Half were chosen by direct voting by an electorate of only Sophomore women—the other half, senior women organizers part of an “honor group.” The final round of voting takes place a week before the official celebration, and this time, everyone has the opportunity to influence the outcome.
“The logic was that Sophomore women know their peers best, so they are most qualified to narrow the nominations down to six. The final campus-wide vote then determines who is crowned,” Taylor said.
The main event will consist of a lineup featuring the six nominees and “star children” aged 5-7 wearing red costumes in a novel take on the mainstream custom. Typically, Swedish Lucia processions include “star boys” dressed in white, “maids,” “elves,” and “gingerbread men”—all of similar ages. The Christ Chapel choir is planned to sing the century-old Lucia song in both English and Swedish.
A fika offering traditional Lucia buns, saffron bread with raisins, is just the beginning of attractions held after the lucky Lucia is chosen.
“Activities include weaving Scandinavian heart baskets, writing notes to people who are a ‘light’ in their lives, and assembling hygiene kits for donation,” Taylor said.
According to an official document circulated by the Office of Marketing and Communication, the six nominees making up this year’s Lucia Court are as follows:
Emily Anderson, an Environmental Studies and Geology double major involved in Gustie Greeters, Swim and Dive, Choir of Christ Chapel, and the Environmental Action Coalition.
Nora Fredrick, a Psychological Science and Scandinavian Studies double major, active in Wind Orchestra, Gustie Buddies, Greek life, and club tennis.
Ruby Heilman, a Music and Psychological Science double major, co-president of LeGACy A Cappella, and member of Gustavus Choir and several campus groups.
Meg Murphy, a Statistics major and Studio Art minor involved in rugby, Greek life, Crochet Club, Theater, and the Choir of Christ Chapel.
Shayma Said, a Nursing major with a Public Health minor, active in the Pan African Student Organization, the Muslim Student Association, and diversity and interfaith work.
Natalie Thorson, an Instrumental Music Education and Dance double major participating in Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Dance Company, Tap Club, and more.
Junior Laura Sunnarborg, who was elected to the Lucia Council last year, thinks current nominees should invite friends and family to the St. Lucia Festival.
“The values Gustavus upholds are not just abstract ideas; they’re embodied by students on campus. Many women truly live those values. There are standout students who are high-achieving, compassionate, and service-oriented. Students embody the values in real, meaningful ways,” Sunnarborg said.
Sunnarborg is relieved to hear that Gustavus made the transition from live to electric candles in the Lucia crowns this year. Before that, the women on the Court ran the risk of setting their hair ablaze if they had used hair spray beforehand.
She implores the nominees to “think of [their] favorite book in advance,” citing the fact that the event is sponsored by Friends of the Library, a group of alumni, parents, and friends that has existed since the 1970s. They raise awareness and money to support the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library’s resources, including subscriptions and physical books.
“To me, St. Lucia is about bringing light and hope into the darkness. One of the best things we can do for people is show them kindness, especially when they might not ask or expect it,” one of the St. Lucia contenders wrote in a message.
“I love how she represents a light in the darkness because I know that winter, especially in Minnesota, can be a long and dark time. I strive to be a light in my community,” another Lucia Court nominee wrote in a message.