Mark from Pennsylvania

[Englishprof302]

Greetings! I am set to begin walking on September 24, hoping to finish sometime around October 30-November 1. I have been planning this pilgrimage for the past 15 months or so, and now the reality of the camino is looming just two months hence. With all the reading I've done and the videos I've watched, I sort of feel that I have been on the camino every day for over a year! I'm sure the reality of the thing will dwarf anything I've seen or read. I'm walking because I felt God's call to take a long walk with Him. I have recovered from a lengthy illness; I am alive by what I can only describe as a miracle, so I am primarily walking the camino to listen, pray, and discern what God wants me to do, what new purpose might be for my life.
Anyway, a question or two: I want to see the botafumiero in action. I have read somewhere (perhaps this forum) that it is being swung on Fridays after the evening mass. Is that true? Also, I understand that the botafumiero is swung on holy days like November 1, which is All Saints Day. Is it swung as all masses on those holy days or just once? Thanks for any information.

 

[ivar]

Welcome to the forum! Happy planning!
Ivar

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The Botafumeiro

The Botafumeiro (literally ‘smoke spreader’ in Galician) is one of the most famous and popular symbols of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This is a huge censer that swings up the aisles of the Cathedral through a pulley system pulled by eight men named tiraboleiros. It weighs 53kg and measures five feet. It is suspended from a height of 20 metres and can reach a speed of 70 miles per hour.

The Botafumeiro is used for liturgical purposes (in the same way as a priest would normally incense the altar) on the following Feast Days:

• The Epiphany of the Lord – 6 January
• Easter Sunday
• The Ascension of the Lord
• The Apparition of the Apostle – 23 May
• Pentecost Sunday
• The Martyrdom of Saint James – 25 July
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – 15 August
• All Saints – 1 November
• Christ the King
• Immaculate Conception – 8 December
• Birth of Jesus – 25 December
• Transfer of the body of the Apostle – 30 December

It currently is scheduled to swing at the 1930 mass on Fridays. It swings at any mass when someone pays for it.

 

[mxb]

It swung the three times I was in the cathedral in June. Seems like it swings most days. I didn't meet anyone who missed it.

 

[cbirgit1331]

I wish you a safe trip. Please keep us posted. I will do the same next year sept to oct about 21 days starting in Burgos. I will follow your updates maybe to see how the weather is at that time. Where to fly to, i am in Florida. I am so exited for you and glad you are well. God bless you on your way. Buen Camino

 

[jellybean]

Greetings! I am set to begin walking on September 24, hoping to finish sometime around October 30-November 1. I have been planning this pilgrimage for the past 15 months or so, and now the reality of the camino is looming just two months hence. With all the reading I've done and the videos I've watched, I sort of feel that I have been on the camino every day for over a year! I'm sure the reality of the thing will dwarf anything I've seen or read. I'm walking because I felt God's call to take a long walk with Him. I have recovered from a lengthy illness; I am alive by what I can only describe as a miracle, so I am primarily walking the camino to listen, pray, and discern what God wants me to do, what new purpose might be for my life.
Anyway, a question or two: I want to see the botafumiero in action. I have read somewhere (perhaps this forum) that it is being swung on Fridays after the evening mass. Is that true? Also, I understand that the botafumiero is swung on holy days like November 1, which is All Saints Day. Is it swung as all masses on those holy days or just once? Thanks for any information.

this is a great question because I would love to see it swung also...I am not walking until next year but am learning as much as I can before that. Buen Camino!

 

[marbuck]

We were there on the 29th May after walking from Roncesvalles and much to the disappointment of every body in the packed Cathedral, it did not swing. O well, that means we will have to walk the Camino again next year with the hope of seeing it swing then.
http://tamborinetosantiago.blogspot.com.au/