Jul 25 Mass in Santiago COVID limits

[lisaflora]

Does anyone know if it is required or possible to reserve space for Mass (pilgrim or other masses) for Jul 25? I think they are limiting numbers, according to Ivar's YouTube today

 

[t2andreo]

You cannot reserve a place at any Mass - anywhere. As of the time of writing this, capacity in the Cathedral is set at 225 persons - due to COVID. Also, the renovations removed ALL the old pews from the entire Cathedral, replacing them with about 225 individual wooden chairs.

Between this being a Holy Year, and the COVID restrictions, getting in to any Mass - let alone a Mass on Santiagos' Feast Day, is going to be very iffy. Unless they loosen the capacity limitations for the Cathedral, your only hope is to come early and queue.

My guess is that there is a likely connection between renovating the old pews and re-installing them, and the capacity restriction. Further, I would assess that they MIGHT be planning to get the pews re-installed and increase the capacity restrictions, in time for the Feast of Santiago on Sunday, 25 July. But, this is just crystal ball speculation on my part.

Remember, that at present, the line to enter the Cathedral via the southern apse - from Plaza Praterias competes for entry 'slots' - not to exceed 225 in total, with those seeking to enter the Cathedral via the Holy Door, around the corner, from Plaza Quintana. EIther way, there will be queues. Bring patience and use the toilet before you get in queue.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[ivar]

Does anyone know if it is required or possible to reserve space for Mass (pilgrim or other masses) for Jul 25? I think they are limiting numbers, according to Ivar's YouTube today

No reservation possible. First come first serve...

 

[lisaflora]

You cannot reserve a place at any Mass - anywhere. As of the time of writing this, capacity in the Cathedral is set at 225 persons - due to COVID. Also, the renovations removed ALL the old pews from the entire Cathedral, replacing them with about 225 individual wooden chairs.

Between this being a Holy Year, and the COVID restrictions, getting in to any Mass - let alone a Mass on Santiagos' Feast Day, is going to be very iffy. Unless they loosen the capacity limitations for the Cathedral, your only hope is to come early and queue.

My guess is that there is a likely connection between renovating the old pews and re-installing them, and the capacity restriction. Further, I would assess that they MIGHT be planning to get the pews re-installed and increase the capacity restrictions, in time for the Feast of Santiago on Sunday, 25 July. But, this is just crystal ball speculation on my part.

Remember, that at present, the line to enter the Cathedral via the southern apse - from Plaza Praterias competes for entry 'slots' - not to exceed 225 in total, with those seeking to enter the Cathedral via the Holy Door, around the corner, from Plaza Quintana. EIther way, there will be queues. Bring patience and use the toilet before you get in queue.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Yes huge help, tku

 

[lisaflora]

No reservation possible. First come first serve...

Thank you! Are tents allowed to camp overnight? Just kiddding

 

[t2andreo]

I just read in a newsletter from the Archconfraternity of the Apostle Santiago - of which I am a lay brother - that:

1. On 25 July, the Feast of Santiago, the Cathedral will hold FOUR Pilgrim Masses - at 12:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

2. Capacity will STILL be limited to 225 persons - COVID imposed

3. Seating is first-come, first served. Even members of the Archconfraternity (me) have to wait in line.

4. I do not know if the number of celebrants at Mass (Archbishop, priests, servers, tiraboleiros, VIPs etc) counts against the 225 capacity limit.

I am hoping that things calm down before I arrive for three weeks in September.

Good luck!

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[lisaflora]

I just read in a newsletter from the Archconfraternity of the Apostle Santiago - of which I am a lay brother - that:

1. On 25 July, the Feast of Santiago, the Cathedral will hold FOUR Pilgrim Masses - at 12:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

2. Capacity will STILL be limited to 225 persons - COVID imposed

3. Seating is first-come, first served. Even members of the Archconfraternity (me) have to wait in line.

4. I do not know if the number of celebrants at Mass (Archbishop, priests, servers, tiraboleiros, VIPs etc) counts against the 225 capacity limit.

I am hoping that things calm down before I arrive for three weeks in September.

Good luck!

Hope this helps.

Tom

Tku very much. I presume there are also nonpilgrim and English masses? Aren't they all pretty much the same...or do you recommend pilgrims mass?

 

[mattythedog]

You cannot reserve a place at any Mass - anywhere. As of the time of writing this, capacity in the Cathedral is set at 225 persons - due to COVID. Also, the renovations removed ALL the old pews from the entire Cathedral, replacing them with about 225 individual wooden chairs.

Between this being a Holy Year, and the COVID restrictions, getting in to any Mass - let alone a Mass on Santiagos' Feast Day, is going to be very iffy. Unless they loosen the capacity limitations for the Cathedral, your only hope is to come early and queue.

My guess is that there is a likely connection between renovating the old pews and re-installing them, and the capacity restriction. Further, I would assess that they MIGHT be planning to get the pews re-installed and increase the capacity restrictions, in time for the Feast of Santiago on Sunday, 25 July. But, this is just crystal ball speculation on my part.

Remember, that at present, the line to enter the Cathedral via the southern apse - from Plaza Praterias competes for entry 'slots' - not to exceed 225 in total, with those seeking to enter the Cathedral via the Holy Door, around the corner, from Plaza Quintana. EIther way, there will be queues. Bring patience and use the toilet before you get in queue.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Last night at 1800 there was a long line outside for the 1930 mass. Guard said no botofumeiro now, but there would be at noon today. I arrived 1100 this morning and no line, plenty of empty pews on 3 sides and empty chairs behind. Pews limited to 3 persons each. They swung the boto.

 

[Lu Zajickova]

We arrived to Santiago last Thursday - evening mass at 7.30 pm was full already at 6.30 p when we arrived, so we went for the morning one which seemed to have a few free spots couple of minutes before the start at 9.30 am (we arrived to the cathedral after 8 am to secure our spots). At noon there was again a veeery long line. Restrictions as mentioned above. And beware that the same happens at the Pilgrims office, we didn't make it the day of arrival (the office closed/stopped distributing the waiting numbers earlier) and came the second day after the mass, got awaiting number and had to wait for 3 hours (you can watch the queue online which we did and left for brunch).

 

[t2andreo]

Tku very much. I presume there are also nonpilgrim and English masses? Aren't they all pretty much the same...or do you recommend pilgrims mass?

Then Order of the Catholic Mass is identical all over the world. I have attended Mass in many Asian and in most European countries. Since Vatican II in the mid-1960s, Mass has been offered in the local language for the most part.

The same prayers are used, albeit in the local language. If you know the order of things and the prayers, you can follow along in English.

I also found, as a one time - a LONG time ago - altar boy, that knowing the original Mass in Latin (it was required before Vatican II) helped me comprehend the Mass in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Apparently there is enough similarity in Latin-based languages that you can sort it out - at least to know where you are in the usual flow of the Catholic Mass.

Also, you can download a free copy of the Order of the Mass in the language(s) you prefer, at www.misas.org. Use this link to go directly to the download page:

La Santa Misa en Misas.org

Misas.org - Horarios de Misa e información sobre la liturgia para asistir a la Eucaristía

misas.org

I hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Kathar1na]

I presume there are also nonpilgrim and English masses?

On their website http://catedraldesantiago.es/liturgia/, they only announce mass in English daily at 10:30 am but it is not held in the Cathedral, it is held in the chapel of the Pilgrims Office. I think masses in other languages (German and French come to mind) are held in other churches. On the 25th of July, there is also a special mass at 10:30 in the Cathedral.

​

 

[TinaPEI]

Things are different now, due to Covid. But in 2016, there was English Mass in one of the side Chapels in the Cathedral. I loved going to Mass in the main Cathedral in Spanish, but also the small Mass in the side Chapel, where I understood the readings, Gospel and homily a little better, was special too! I hope you can get to both! One "big" with the botafumeiro and one "little" somewhere in English!

 

[Loretta Jane]

No reservation possible. First come first serve...

The Cathedral should put a Jumbtron Screen in the plaza and show the Masses like they do at the Vatican. Then all the Pilgrims can see Mass.

 

[lisaflora]

Things are different now, due to Covid. But in 2016, there was English Mass in one of the side Chapels in the Cathedral. I loved going to Mass in the main Cathedral in Spanish, but also the small Mass in the side Chapel, where I understood the readings, Gospel and homily a little better, was special too! I hope you can get to both! One "big" with the botafumeiro and one "little" somewhere in English!

Then Order of the Catholic Mass is identical all over the world. I have attended Mass in many Asian and in most European countries. Since Vatican II in the mid-1960s, Mass has been offered in the local language for the most part.

The same prayers are used, albeit in the local language. If you know the order of things and the prayers, you can follow along in English.

I also found, as a one time - a LONG time ago - altar boy, that knowing the original Mass in Latin (it was required before Vatican II) helped me comprehend the Mass in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Apparently there is enough similarity in Latin-based languages that you can sort it out - at least to know where you are in the usual flow of the Catholic Mass.

Also, you can download a free copy of the Order of the Mass in the language(s) you prefer, at www.misas.org. Use this link to go directly to the download page:

La Santa Misa en Misas.org

Misas.org - Horarios de Misa e información sobre la liturgia para asistir a la Eucaristía

misas.org

I hope this helps.

Tom

Yes, I speak decent Spanish and know the Mass well, so say the responsorials by heart in English ...just sometimes hard to appreciate the nuances of the homily