Botafumeiro

[Quahaug]

Arrived in Santiago after a short Camino from Sarria. Was fortunate to be given a bench seat a Botafumeiro mass the next day. Sat front row in the transept and got a great video. See it here

 

[K_Lynn]

How lucky for you! We arrive in Santiago on Oct 31, so I'm hoping to see it when it swings Nov 1 for All Saints Day !

 

[Quahaug]

How lucky for you! We arrive in Santiago on Oct 31, so I'm hoping to see it when it swings Nov 1 for All Saints Day !

Try to sit in the transept. That’s the best view

 

[K_Lynn]

Try to sit in the transept. That’s the best view

LOL I had to google trancept. But yes, I know to sit on the sides!

 

[trecile]

FYI - there's a post on the Camigas FB group that one of the group members has paid for the Botafumeiro for the noon mass on Sunday, October 22nd. In the same post she says that she met a group that had paid for the Botafumeiro for the 9:30am mass on the same day.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @K_Lynn given that Nov 1 (All Saints Day) is a " holy day of obligation" for practicing Catholics I would suggest that there is every likelyhood that the Botofumeiro will swing. Lucky you, get there early and sit as close to the altar on the South or North side. Buen Camino.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

I arrived in Santiago 10 October and collected my Compostela. Took care of a few other things, then decided to go to the Pilgrim's mass on 11 October at 9:30 am. There were no hints that the Botafumeiro ceremony would take place, but just as mass was wrapping up, here came the helpers in robes and the next thing I knew the Botafumeiro was swinging! Quite a thrilling surprise. Of course, one of the security staff asked pilgrims to not take photos or pictures, but everyone ignored him! Bob

 

[Quahaug]

I arrived in Santiago 10 October and collected my Compostela. Took care of a few other things, then decided to go to the Pilgrim's mass on 11 October at 9:30 am. There were no hints that the Botafumeiro ceremony would take place, but just as mass was wrapping up, here came the helpers in robes and the next thing I knew the Botafumeiro was swinging! Quite a thrilling surprise. Of course, one of the security staff asked pilgrims to not take photos or pictures, but everyone ignored him! Bob

That was the mass I attended

 

[Tiffany Linda]

Try to sit in the transept. That’s the best view

How do you get chance to sit there?

 

[Pia Valbak Schmidt]

Arrived in Santiago after a short Camino from Sarria. Was fortunate to be given a bench seat a Botafumeiro mass the next day. Sat front row in the transept and got a great video. See it here

Thank you, this was great.
I have been lucky to have expirienced the Butafumero i use several times, an every time I am very impressed by the whole scenery, and the old tradition.

 

[Maureen Anne]

Arrived in Santiago after a short Camino from Sarria. Was fortunate to be given a bench seat a Botafumeiro mass the next day. Sat front row in the transept and got a great video. See it here

Thank you so so much for sharing. I was at the Mass Oct 4th so your video brought back beautiful memories to Colorado. Great job Budda

 

[Rickcrna]

How do you get chance to sit there?

Arrive to church about an hour before Mass begins.

 

[Mr BWE]

Arrived in Santiago after a short Camino from Sarria. Was fortunate to be given a bench seat a Botafumeiro mass the next day. Sat front row in the transept and got a great video. See it here

I've seen the Botufumeira a few times but never as clearly as that. Well done & thank you for sharing.

 

[Martinwell]

I was at the 7:30pm Mass on October 3 and was fortunate to see the Botufumeira. I was further removed from your pew, but had a great view and experienced a beautiful tradition.

The Cathedral seemed to be much less crowded than earlier in the month.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[walkeatsleep]

Stupid question: is there a dress code for Mass at the Cathedral? I could not find anything on the website.

Also - there is a schedule for the Botafumeiro here.

 

[Tiffany Linda]

Not stupid question...cover shoulders, no short shorts...respectful..

 

[Bert45]

The commentary is perpetuating the myth that the burning of incense is to 'fumigate' the building, or to mask the smell of the pilgrims. It's not.

 

[walkeatsleep]

Not stupid question...cover shoulders, no short shorts...respectful..

Thank you...I pity the person forced to look at me in short shorts.

 

[Pafayac]

The commentary is perpetuating the myth that the burning of incense is to 'fumigate' the building, or to mask the smell of the pilgrims. It's not.

So, why is the Botafumeiro so big ?

 

[Sherpa47]

Thank you so much. Brought back lovely memories.

 

[Bert45]

So, why is the Botafumeiro so big ?

To show off (imo). Despite what you may read in some places on the internet, only a small quantity of burning charcoal is put in the botafumeiro – round about 1 lb or 450 g, though, of course, it is not weighed. Not 40 kg. To that is added a few ounces of incense, which is enough to make the smoke and fill the air with the smell for the very short time required – about a minute, I would guess. "The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful. It is an outward sign of spiritual realities, which is why it has its place in Christian liturgy." – goodcatholic.com.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

Here are the guaranteed days to see it from the Cathedral website
The Botafumeiro operates during the following Solemnities:

• The Epiphany: 6 January
• Resurrection Sunday
• The Apparition of the Apostle-Clavijo: 23 May
• Pentecost
• The Martyrdom of Saint James: 25 July
• The Assumption of Mary: 15 August
• All Saints: 1 November
• Christ the King
• The Immaculate Conception: 8 December
• Christmas: 25 December
• Transfer of the remains of the Apostle: 30 December

 

[gollygolly]

Here are the guaranteed days to see it from the Cathedral website
The Botafumeiro operates during the following Solemnities:

• The Epiphany: 6 January
• Resurrection Sunday
• The Apparition of the Apostle-Clavijo: 23 May
• Pentecost
• The Martyrdom of Saint James: 25 July
• The Assumption of Mary: 15 August
• All Saints: 1 November
• Christ the King
• The Immaculate Conception: 8 December
• Christmas: 25 December
• Transfer of the remains of the Apostle: 30 December

I there any way of knowing in advance of other dates / specific dates when individuals or groups may have paid for the Botafumeiro to be operated?

I believe that the cost to have the Botafumeiro especially swung is €500.00.

The email to make contact and ask is : botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es

I have been very fortunate to coincide on several occasions when the Botafumeiro was swung, so have never made the arrangement for being especially swung, so cannot guide other than what is written above.

 

[Quahaug]

To show off (imo). Despite what you may read in some places on the internet, only a small quantity of burning charcoal is put in the botafumeiro – round about 1 lb or 450 g, though, of course, it is not weighed. Not 40 kg. To that is added a few ounces of incense, which is enough to make the smoke and fill the air with the smell for the very short time required – about a minute, I would guess. "The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful. It is an outward sign of spiritual realities, which is why it has its place in Christian liturgy." – goodcatholic.com.

It must of also helped with the smell don’t you think?

 

[Pafayac]

It must of also helped with the smell don’t you think?

Loop detected ! ;-)

 

[Bert45]

It must have also helped with the smell, don’t you think? (edited)

Not a lot, again imo. The people in the congregation would have been (and still are) much closer to other pilgrims than to the botafumeiro. The incense burns for perhaps a couple of minutes at the end of the Mass. If the celebrants were concerned about the smell of the congregation, they would surely burn incense throughout the ceremony. Katar1na gave the origin of the myth some time ago.

 

[OzAnnie]

I went to the midday pilgrim mass in the cathedral today (Friday 20/10/23) with no expectations of seeing the botafumeiro swing - it was a surprise and I had the perfect view from the side seating. A spectacle for sure.

 

[hfleming]

Could anyone share the lyrics of the anthem being sung?

 

[Kathar1na]

Could anyone share the lyrics of the anthem being sung?

For the Spanish text of the hymn to the apostle Saint James that accompanies the swinging of the Botafumeiro see for example here: https://www.santiagoturismo.es/2013/05/el-himno-del-apostol.html. Text of the hymn translated into English:

Holy Adalid, patron saint of the Spanish Realms, friend of the Lord: Defend your beloved disciples and protect your nation! We come to temper the victorious weapons of the Christian in the sacred and flaming fire of your devout altar.​

The holy Christian faith, a heavenly good that you bequeathed to us, shall be firm and secure in Spain like the pillar which the Mother of Jesus gave to you.​

Glory to Saint James, illustrious patron saint! Your grateful children praise you today.​

Prostrate at your feet, we offer you the most sincere pledge of our love. Defend your beloved disciples! Protect your nation! Protect your nation!​

The hymn was written for the Holy Year 1920. It starts with the words "Santo Adalid". Adalid is a military rank comparable to captain, see Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalid


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[hfleming]

For the Spanish text of the hymn to the apostle Saint James that accompanies the swinging of the Botafumeiro see for example here: https://www.santiagoturismo.es/2013/05/el-himno-del-apostol.html. Text of the hymn translated into English:

Holy Adalid, patron saint of the Spanish Realms, friend of the Lord: Defend your beloved disciples and protect your nation! We come to temper the victorious weapons of the Christian in the sacred and flaming fire of your devout altar.​

The holy Christian faith, a heavenly good that you bequeathed to us, shall be firm and secure in Spain like the pillar which the Mother of Jesus gave to you.​

Glory to Saint James, illustrious patron saint! Your grateful children praise you today.​

Prostrate at your feet, we offer you the most sincere pledge of our love. Defend your beloved disciples! Protect your nation! Protect your nation!​

The hymn was written for the Holy Year 1920. It starts with the words "Santo Adalid". Adalid is a military rank comparable to captain, see Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalid


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Thank you so much!