The United States has always been a melting pot of cultures, and one of the nicest consequences of that diversity is the vast variety of delightful customs people have brought to this country. Around Christmastime in Sweden, one charming tradition is a Winter Solstice Celebration, marking the event with a candle-lit St. Lucia ceremony as a reminder that the sun will soon return.
Windsor residents Brad and Mona Endicott have preserved that custom, and last Tuesday evening invited friends to share it with them at their lovely home, which was beautifully decorated with a large assortment of exquisite ornaments, lights and displays collected over the years.
Mona Endicott and her daughter Petra Frisell, who were both born in Sweden, cherish the Nordic ceremony and, as is tradition, have passed down the role of St. Lucia through the generations to Petra’s stunning daughter Eva Frisell.
“I love Christmas and Petra loves it even more,” said Mona Endicott with a smile.
Petra laughs and said, “Can you tell I’m a little obsessed? I’m absolutely besotted with Christmas, and my mother indulges me and lets me do all this.”
A senior at American University in Washington, Eva Frisell embodied the essence of St. Lucia, and with good reason.
“The first time I did it, I was in second grade; maybe even a little younger,” Eva recalled, adding that there is a skill to not catching on fire. And of the tradition itself she added, “It’s so sweet. When I was practicing earlier, Mona and my mom started crying. It’s a very emotional night for us.”
Dressed in a long white gown with a red ribbon at the waist and wearing an evergreen crown of lit candles, she led a procession of handmaidens and a little Stjärngossar (star boy) around an inner courtyard twinkling with lights and into the living room, awash in the glow from candles and a spectacular Christmas tree.
Before the ceremony, Mona’s son Sven Frisell related the legend of the Italian Lucia of Syracuse (283–304), who wore candles on her head to leave her hands free and light her way as she carried food to persecuted Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs around 304 AD. She was executed by authorities for her efforts and was later canonized. He said there are many theories as to how an Italian Catholic saint became revered in Sweden, but the most likely is the notion that she brings light and hope to dark Nordic winters, ushering in light, hope and a reason to think of good things to come. Lucia Day is Dec. 13 on the Julian calendar.
