(church info last updated 03/30/2016)Address: 344 E. 104th St. (between 1st & 2nd)
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About St. Lucy
Attending the Mass today with a nearly dead camera battery - got the pics I could before it stopped working - hope these will do.A few things struck me and stuck with me about Mass today - first off: St. Lucy's eyes. The saint is always shown in art holding a pair of eyes, her eyes. She was martyred and it's said (in some retellings) that her murderers gouged out her eyes before killing her. Thus, she is the patron saint of the blind.
It was First Communion Mass at St. Lucy's today, so I witnessed maybe 15-20 young kids in their suits and dresses receive the Sacrament for the first time - it was cute. Something about it made me all emotional today. The kids happy to be receiving Communion for the first time; the pride in their parents' eyes; the children handing their mothers roses at the end of Mass to commemorate Mother's Day: it was all very sweet. 
The hymns sung at today's Mass were all sentimental to me as they were throwbacks to the songs I grew up with (and probably you did too:) "Here I am, Lord", "One Bread, One Body", and "I am the Bread of Life." The last one really got me today, and any of the emotions I was having came on all the stronger during that song. I remember this hymn at my grandfather's funeral when I was seven years old - the only time I've ever seen my father cry. It just gets me, you know? And my mind turns to my own parents and how they are getting on in years (not anywhere near decrepit or anything like that, but still slowing down,) and I think about what will happen one day in the future and I can't stand to even consider it. 
But that is all to come some day down the road. For now there are other things. My girlfriend and I are on the brink of certain ruin. The girls of my past have looked at me in ways I couldn't handle and so told them not too, but I could never convince them that I wasn't the man they considered me to be. And now that I've found one who's seen right through me, and still wants to be with me, I know it isn't, in the end, going to turn out okay after all. There's a rift between us, something that's not all right. She knows my failings, and though she accepts them, I can see that a part of her mind (or maybe it's her heart) never will. The subsequent unspoken psychological effects seep down good and deep and seethe there, beneath the surface of us both, until we grow apart, drastically, all the while sitting at her kitchen table, facing one another. 
I just found your blog, its so interesting. I attended St' Lucy's School and Church till I graduated from there in 1969 and moved to the Bronx. I have not been there in years. Thank you for the memories, beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents married in ST. Lucy's in 1905. They were Italian immigrants and their marriage certificate is written in Italian. I have been looking all over the net for some pics of the church and some history. Thank you for posting these pics. My grandmother named my mother, Lucy, because she was married there!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures of St. Lucy's. My father-in-law was baptized there in the spring of 1911. I saw his baptismal certificate, but I think my sister-in-law has it.
ReplyDeleteI graduated from St. Lucy'c School in 1968.
ReplyDeleteI now live abroad in the Rep. of San Marino (heart of Italy) and, looking around the world with Google Maps, I found my old school! What a wonderful sensation seeing it still as it was then. A special thanks to all those that have helped me become what I am today!
Love, Anna Maria Paoloni
I past by St. Lucy's a few months back from a trip to the city. I went to school there and left after the 6th grade..1966. I parked and tried to get in but the doors were locked. As I walked away, a man came out of the school and I asked if I could go in to see the inside again. He turned out to be the pastor...he took the time to show me the Church and described the neighborhood and parishoners. The only downer was that the organ was broken..but the Church was in great shape.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't surprise me if you were standing right next to me taking those shots. I work there during service for both the English and Spanish services. No matter where I go and live my heart will always belong to this parish, St. Lucy's. I also enjoy visiting the Grotto up here in the Bronx, and wouldn't you know, the Church is also St. Lucy's! There are very few parishoners left that I grew up with since the neighborhood is changing. There were still Italians & Irish when I attended. I remember McCarthy, Marconi, Lebron & Prisco just to name a few.
ReplyDeleteI agree no matter where I go my heart will always belong to St. Lucy's and east 104th street.
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI was a parishioner of St. Lucy's in the 1950's and 1960's. I am now living far away. I am writing a memoir and would like to know if there are images of the caves under the Shrine of Mary. I remember going theere with my Grandmother often. People tell me now it is closed. I would be a great help would contact me with more info or if anyone posting here with has pictures or info about the catacombs below the shrine. thanks lauraciffone@gmail.com
Hello,
ReplyDeleteMy great great grandparents were living near St. Lucy's at the time of their deaths. Are you aware of the cemetery which would have been used by St. Lucy parishioners?
Thank you for the pictures of this beautiful church as well as for any information you might know about the cemetery. Carol
Depending on the years they passed, the majority of parishioners were buried either St. Raymond's in the Bronx or Calvary in Queens. I just happen to see this today. I Went to School at St. Lucy's from 1946 to 1954.Miss Riccio was the kindergarten teacher and Father Riccio was the Pastor Everyone used the Pace Funeral Home with was on the corner of 104th Street and 2nd Avenue south side. It is not there anymore, so I don't think you could find records
DeleteIt's funny how people reminisce and go looking for things on the internet to reach back to there past. I may have been in your class, I believe in the same years, Do I know you? My name is Emily Motta
DeleteI went to school those same years we may have even been classmates. I had Sister Claudia in 8th grad, Sister Dolores in 5th and Sister Justin in 6th. I remember Miss Riccio very well and Father Riccio use to come in once a month in the classroom and tell those bible stories. It was fun days sometimes and sometimes when teachers got that pointer out it was not fun, especially for the boys.
DeleteI graduated from St. Lucy's in 1949. I remember Fr. Louis Riccio and his sister--I think her name was Ann--who took care of the priest house. (I think Fr. Maculvoy (Sp.?) became pastor when Fr. Riccio retired. I am unaware of a kindergarten at that time. I remember the beautiful Italian names of most of my classmates to this day, and I am now 83 years old. My family name is Fludd. One of my younger brothers also attended.
DeleteI attended along with my younger brother Milton in the 1963-1967, it was an amazing time for us.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Peter Leon, Milton Leon Living in Florida now
Peter@PeterLeon.com
i attended school there in the 90s...i really miss that school great memories..trying to find old friends from there....
ReplyDeleteI was the Music Teacher at St Lucy's school for 6 years in the late 80s to 90s. My baby girl was baptised there in 1991.
DeleteThank you for the great pictures. I want to visit this church someday with my husband. I gave birth to a beautiful girl on 12 December 2011 and she passed away on 13 December which is Saint Lucy. We named her Lucy too before we knew that day was for the Saint Lucy. Since then our blessings and faith have increased. I am happy to have found your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great pictures. I gave birth to a beautiful girl on 12 December 2011 and her name was Lucy Marie. She passed away on 13 December 2011 on Saint Lucy's feast. We named her before we knew about Saint Lucy. Since then our blessings and faith have increased. Thank you for your blog. We hope to visit this church one day.
ReplyDeletefor anyone who wants to find me (graduate of 1970), just email to nana22756@aol.com! hope to hear from you soon.
ReplyDeletei started in 1970 with sister mary pius i most likely saw you downstairs as we were lining up. i think my friend carlos morales had a brother or sister in your class.
Deletewho are you you were in my class carlos was my best friend. please get back to me I want to get in touch with some of my old classmates I think about you guys just about every day. I miss you all. when I moved upstate school was a NIGHTMARE!! Mt email is marcangerame@yahoo.com. in school I was marc Ginsberg.
DeleteIts funny how things in life come together through church. I attended St. Lucy's in the late 80's early 90's. My mother and I would always attend Sunday service when she wasn't working. I received my baptism and first communion there. I am currently a United States Marine and on deployment just found a book and decided to read it. In the book dated around 1890 - 1920 one of the characters mentioned getting married in St. Lucia's Church on 104th street in "Italian Harlem." I wonder was St. Lucy's ever called St. Lucia's back then. If you have and answer please email me at marinetgr@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was just a girl when I studied and attend church in St Lucy's I dont remember much students now as I was from 1st to 3rd grade in 1974, 75 but gets me nostalgic to see the church I currently live in Puerto Rico, would love to see the church again
ReplyDeletei also went there from grades 1-3 i started in 1970 with sister mary pius. i had carlos morales mercedes now hope ward and wanda ortiz in my class were you one of my classmates?
DeleteI also went to school there from grades 1-3. I started in 1970 my best friend who was also in m y class left in the 3rd grade he also moved to Puerto rico I moved upstate. his name is carlos morales. what is your name. I am marc Ginsberg. I would love to meet some of my old classmates again.
Deletewhat was your address on 104th street. I was at 347
DeleteI attended St Lucy's in the late 40s/50s until I moved to the Bronx.I so missed the fact that I could not graduate with all the kids I went to school with since the first grade. To this very day , I remember the wonderful Sisters who taught me....Fr.Riccio was the pastor. I remember Sr Annunziata, Sr Eleanore, Sr Cecelia.......I hope all of my former classmates feel the same. Much Blessings, Elaine Zatura
ReplyDeleteI went to school there for 8 years and the nuns used to hit us all the time .
DeleteAwful bitter raged filled nuns .
I attended St. Lucy's from 1st to 8th grade. I lived right on 104th street and grew up there. I have fond memories of my years there. Was looking to see if there was a Facebook page but didn't find. I graduated in 1968. These pics bring back old memories.
ReplyDeletei went there i n the 70's and lived at 347 e104th
DeleteI too graduated in 1968...luvalatina@aol.com
DeleteI too graduated in 1968...luvalatina@aol.com
DeleteSo did I. My name is Rosemarie Morales and had Sr. Josita.
DeleteI was told that there was a St. Agrippina's feast over fifty years ago, and the statue is in the church. If true, I would love to come down from Boston and see.
ReplyDeleteWow – I was just thinking of who I would have become had I not attended St. Lucy’s. I graduated in 1971 (grades 1-8). Living in Spanish Harlem back then was filled with trials and tribulations. They helped transformed me into the person I am today. Thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteWow – I was just thinking of who I would have become had I not attended St. Lucy’s. I graduated in 1971 (grades 1-8). Living in Spanish Harlem back then was filled with trials and tribulations. They helped transformed me into the person I am today. Thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteI am a graduate of St. Lucy's, class of '69 (Sister Josita). I attended school there and it was my parish for many years. I received my communion, confirmation and was married there in 1977. The last Mass will be held this Sunday, the 26th of July at 1:00 p.m. The church will be closing.
ReplyDeleteJust putting it out there in case anyone wants to know.
-Elizabeth.
my maternal grandparents married in st lucys beginning ofmlast century. both came as italian immigrnats separate one to ellis island the other ? fromm diff parts of italy. settled w 67st nyc both buried st raymonds bx family main names on italian side are valesio and daparma an dowling. east harlem chaged big time 1950s due to puerto rican influx and urband renewal sent alot of relatives to bx or outside nyc. my name bob.
DeleteI have very fond memories of St. Lucy. I graduated in 1968. I had Sr. Josita, Sr. Aloyisius, Sr. Theodore. I enjoyed being in the choir with Father Galdos. Anyone out there who remembers?
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