THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University’s dramatic annual Sankta Lucia Festival will be held at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in Samuelson Chapel.

The Swedish ceremony, which has been part of the university’s holiday celebrations since its early years, pays homage to the Christian martyr who died at the stake on Dec. 13, 304 A.D. Swedish immigrants brought the tradition to America. The festival honors the character traits of mercy, humility and purity of heart, as seen in the Beatitudes written in the Gospel of Matthew.

CLU’s undergraduate students select five female and five male representatives whose depth of character and faith make them leaders in the CLU community. Lucia, her attendants and their escorts will enter to an ancient hymn and read an adaptation of the legend then the attendants will light the candles in Lucia’s crown.

CLU’s Office of Campus Ministry, the CLU Scandinavian Club and the American Scandinavian Foundation of Thousand Oaks are sponsoring the free event.

The chapel is located at 165 Chapel Lane near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. Parking is available in the lot at the corner of Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard. For more information, call the Office of Campus Ministry at 805-493-3228.