Santa Lucia Pageant
Mindekirken invites children of all ages - pre-K through high school - to participate in our annual Santa Lucia Pageant.
Children will participate in a Scandinavian tradition that goes back hundreds of years, while learning how to sing and perform as an ensemble with other children. Santa Lucia is a great way of introducing another language to children, with songs and texts in both Norwegian and English. No Norwegian experience is necessary.
Rehearsals begin on Sunday afternoons from 1:00-2:45 pm from Sunday November 5 until the day of the pageant, Sunday, December 10. Participation is free. Click here for more info and to Register
Santa Lucia was a fourth century Christian martyr from Syracuse in present-day Italy. Lucia’s story juxtaposes well against many seasonal themes. Her Feast Day (December 13) in the Catholic tradition was the day of the winter solstice during the Middle Ages, which helps explain how she became associated with candles - bringing light into the darkness, both literally and metaphorically, on the shortest day of the year. December 13 is also during the season of Advent in the Christian church year. Lucia’s light is thus representative of the light of God and the coming birth of the Jesus, the Light of the World. Our pageant today blends the story of Lucia with the story of Christmas.
Today’s pageant is similar to what is performed in pageants and homes through Norway and Sweden on December 13. While it is not fully understood how the veneration of Lucia - an Italian saint - became so prominent in Sweden and neighboring Nordic countries, it is a beautiful tradition that now goes back hundreds of years. We hope you find this a meaningful part of your own celebration, devotion and reflection this Advent season.
Lussekatter 
