This week, Gusties will celebrate our 82nd annual festival of St. Lucia, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 in Christ Chapel. As part of this seasonal tradition, six sophomore women have been chosen to serve on the Lucia Court.
This year’s court includes Lily Goloh, Linnea Hanson, Morgan Kelly, Abby McCready, Grace McFarlane, and Cristina Sirbu. These women are chosen based on their courageous leadership, strength of character, service to others, and compassion.
The Festival of St. Lucia is one of many Swedish Christmas traditions and is typically held on December 13. On this day in Sweden, traditionally the eldest daughter plays the role of St. Lucia by rising early in the morning to prepare and serve baked goods and coffee to her family. Wearing a crown of lighted candles, Lucia represents the return of light that will end the long winter nights and serves as a symbol of hope and peace for the Christmas season.
At Gustavus, the St. Lucia Court sings carols in the College’s residence halls during the early morning hours on the day of the festival. Lucia is chosen through a campus community nomination and voting process. The Festival of Saint Lucia will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 in Christ Chapel, and the ceremony will be livestreamed on the St. Lucia website. The day includes a luncheon in Alumni Hall sponsored by the Friends of the Library—Gustavus Library Associates, starting at 11 a.m. The luncheon features Sarah Ruble, Associate Provost and Dean of Academic Programs and Accreditation in the Provost’s Office and Professor in Religion, who will deliver an address called, “Justice, Service, and Telling the Truth”. Tickets may be purchased at gustavustickets.com.
For more information about the Festival of St. Lucia, contact the Office of Marketing and Communication at 507-933-7520, or visit the Festival of Saint Lucia website.
Leave a Reply