Did you know there is a St. Lucy of Narnia?

When I saw her name, it stopped me in my tracks.

St. Lucy of Narnia?! There’s no way!

It turns out she was a real person. And her feast day is November 15. 

Long before C.S. Lewis penned his iconic children’s series, a young Italian woman named Lucia Brocadelli was living a saintly life as a Dominican tertiary in the little town of Narni, then called Narnia. 

Also known as St. Lucia of Narni, her name gives a little thrill of delight to anyone who’s spent time beyond the wardrobe doors. And according to Lewis’ secretary, Walter Hooper, the shared name was most likely intentional. 

Of course, Lewis’ heroine, Lucy Pevensie, is a fictional character. But in the world of Narnia, she too becomes a saint, as the final book sees her reaching “Aslan’s country” — that is, Heaven. 

Coming across a saint with such a remarkably similar name got me thinking about Lucy Pevensie as a saint. What virtues did these two young women share in common? 

St. Lucy of Narnia was known to have visions of Our Lord. Similarly, Lucy Pevensie could see Aslan when no one else could. 

Both had a special gift of sight, an ability to see more than others could see because of their closeness to God.

Both the real and fictional characters faced stern challenges to following God’s call. 

The real St. Lucy dealt with a very unsupportive husband. 

In the books, Lucy Pevensie’s siblings refused to listen to her at various points when she was sure she knew what Aslan wanted them to do. 

In the end, both stood up for their beliefs and were proven right.

Like the real St. Lucia of Narni, Lucy Pevensie had a childlike trust in God that made it easy for her to remain close to him and understand what he wanted her to do.

All this got me thinking a little more. If Lucy Pevensie had been a real person, of what would she be the patron saint? 

Perhaps of animals, like another famous Italian saint — we remember her affection for Reepicheep the mouse, and for all the talking animals of Narnia.

Perhaps of healing — thanks to her healing cordial that saved so many lives after the battle with the White Witch.

While the fictional “Lucy of Narnia” is not a real saint, we can pray for the intercession of the real St. Lucy of Narnia — and what a thrill that is. 

Perhaps we might read (or reread!) the series soon, in her honor.