By Juliet White ’23
Gustavus Adolphus College will celebrate its 81st annual festival of St. Lucia at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9 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 Tania Monse Perez Barrios, Lluvia Infante, Kathryn Lillemon, Claire Lind, Abigail Neptun, and Claire Schoenfield. These women are chosen based on courageous leadership, strength of character, service to others, and compassion.
The Festival of St. Lucia is one of many Swedish traditions during the Christmas season 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. 9 in Christ Chapel. 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 Laurie Jacobi, author of Storyteller in Wool, combining Nordic legend, nature, beauty and craftsmanship to create textiles and wearable works of art. 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.