Mass in Santiago

[Dani7]

Hello everyone

Since the cathedral in Santiago de Compostella in under major renovations and mass is not celebrated there, I noticed that there are quite a few churches around the cathedral that do offer mass. My question to you is: What mass/church did you prefer and why?
I am in search of my faith on my upcoming Camino and would prefer not to get into a religious discussion with this post as I feel discussions regarding religion and politics often bring out strong emotions. Just wondering what mass/church made you feel whole, in the moment and spiritual. Thanks to all in advance to all who respond .

 

[Deleted member 3000]

San Augustin, Rúa de Santo Agostiño, 4, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain. Mass at 11 a.m. Johnny Walker may be at the organ.

 

[SabineP]

Absolutely, San Augustin! Especially if priest Balthasar is doing Mass and Sermon! Such a treat compared to the middle of the road sermons in the cathedral.

 

[kirkie]

triple echo both messages above...

 

[K Turner]

Hello everyone

Since the cathedral in Santiago de Compostella in under major renovations and mass is not celebrated there, I noticed that there are quite a few churches around the cathedral that do offer mass. My question to you is: What mass/church did you prefer and why?
I am in search of my faith on my upcoming Camino and would prefer not to get into a religious discussion with this post as I feel discussions regarding religion and politics often bring out strong emotions. Just wondering what mass/church made you feel whole, in the moment and spiritual. Thanks to all in advance to all who respond .

We went to Mass at the Pilgrim's Office last month. It's done in English. There's a chapel on the left as soon as you walk inside the PO.

 

[Dani7]

Absolutely, San Augustin! Especially if priest Balthasar is doing Mass and Sermon! Such a treat compared to the middle of the road sermons in the cathedral.

Good sermons hard to come by. Duly noted

 

[JMac56]

This might be a little tricky but, if possible, I recommend you seek out a Mass celebrated by Fr. Juan Carlos Angulo. He is (was?) based at the SdC Catedral but must be saying Mass elsewhere if he is still in Compostela. The man is truly inspirational. Buen Camino.

 

[Betta2016]

Hello everyone

Since the cathedral in Santiago de Compostella in under major renovations and mass is not celebrated there, I noticed that there are quite a few churches around the cathedral that do offer mass. My question to you is: What mass/church did you prefer and why?
I am in search of my faith on my upcoming Camino and would prefer not to get into a religious discussion with this post as I feel discussions regarding religion and politics often bring out strong emotions. Just wondering what mass/church made you feel whole, in the moment and spiritual. Thanks to all in advance to all who respond .

I went to the Mosteiro de San Paio de Antealtares. It is the home of cloistered Benedictine Sisters. They have a lovely museum and sell books and almond cookies. The Mass is beautiful and if you stay for compline in the evening you will be transported by their angelic voices. The Church is gorgeous. I actually preferred the atmosphere and quiet to the Cathedral which was overflowing with some very noisy visitors even during Mass. God is calling. We need quiet to listen. Blessings. Betta

 

[t2andreo]

While the Cathedral is offline, Mass has been moved as follows:

Daily Pilgrim Mass at noon - Basilica of Saint Francis (San Francisco), just behind the HUGE statue of the saint at the end of Calle San Francisco.

Most other daily Masses - Church of Santa Maria Salome (mother of Saint James), on Rua Nova, same side of the street as Pilgrim House, just a little further down... in the middle of the block.

I agree that Mass at the Jesuit-run Church of San Augustin is fabulous, especially if Fr. Balthazar is celebrating. Also, if you attend the NOON mass on Saturday or Sunday, the chances are that our own Johnnie Walker will be playing the organ, splendidly, I might add.

Finally, and this is a public secret, some years ago, the Archbishop issued an indult that specified that the noon Saturday Mass ONLY at San Augustin would meet the Catholic duty to attend Mass on Sunday. Whereas most Catholic churches offer a Sunday vigil Mass at 16:00 or later on the eve of Sunday, the indult allowed the Saturday noon Mass to meet that obligation.

The reason for this is the adjacent fresh market. Farmers come from towns surrounding and out from Santiago, where there are no functioning churches. Without this special consideration, these people would find it difficult or impossible to meet their weekly obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

So, if you are in Santiago on any Saturday, and a Catholic (or any denomination for that matter) DO come to the noon Mass. It is widely attended, by folks from the market, as well as a lot of local folks. I attend there whenever I can. Fr. Balthazar frequently officates. And Johnnie usually plays the organ if he is in town.

Hope this helps.

 

[SabineP]

Fr.Balthasar restores all my lapsed faith in Catholicism / Catholic priests!
What an intelligent, gentle and wise priest.

 

[Dani7]

While the Cathedral is offline, Mass has been moved as follows:

Daily Pilgrim Mass at noon - Basilica of Saint Francis (San Francisco), just behind the HUGE statue of the saint at the end of Calle San Francisco.

Most other daily Masses - Church of Santa Maria Salome (mother of Saint James), on Rua Nova, same side of the street as Pilgrim House, just a little further down... in the middle of the block.

I agree that Mass at the Jesuit-run Church of San Augustin is fabulous, especially if Fr. Balthazar is celebrating. Also, if you attend the NOON mass on Saturday or Sunday, the chances are that our own Johnnie Walker will be playing the organ, splendidly, I might add.

Finally, and this is a public secret, some years ago, the Archbishop issued an indult that specified that the noon Saturday Mass ONLY at San Augustin would meet the Catholic duty to attend Mass on Sunday. Whereas most Catholic churches offer a Sunday vigil Mass at 16:00 or later on the eve of Sunday, the indult allowed the Saturday noon Mass to meet that obligation.

The reason for this is the adjacent fresh market. Farmers come from towns surrounding and out from Santiago, where there are no functioning churches. Without this special consideration, these people would find it difficult or impossible to meet their weekly obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

So, if you are in Santiago on any Saturday, and a Catholic (or any denomination for that matter) DO come to the noon Mass. It is widely attended, by folks from the market, as well as a lot of local folks. I attend there whenever I can. Fr. Balthazar frequently officates. And Johnnie usually plays the organ if he is in town.

Hope this helps.

Oh t2andreo, thank you so much for this detailed information and taking the time to write it. So greatly appreciated. I will be arriving in Santiago on a Friday and leaving on a Sunday for my last leg of my journey from Santiago to Muxia and ending in Finistere. My spiritual journey on this Camino is very important to me. I talked to a colleague yesterday and a few friends about feeling disconnected with my faith and how it bothered me, the going back and forth between believing and not. I was surprised to hear they felt the same and totally understood. Again thank you

 

[Dani7]

I really appreciate everyone’s time with their responses on this post as this is not another item to check off my “to-do/must-dos” Camino list. It matters.

 

[gerip]

Attended the Sunday pilgrim mass at San Francisco. If you prefer a more quite, contemplative service don't go there. One poor lady had her fingers stuck in her ears the whole time. I just put in my noise-cancelling ear buds. Just saying'...........

 

[kirkie]

You have to be able to follow Spanish if you go to San Agustin, but the charisma of Baltasar speaks beyond language, and then the music, and if you are lucky, the cantor... the three form a symphony.
For those who have time, finding a place to be silent, and reflect, is possibly just what you need to gather together the moments, the hours, the days... of your camino. Hearts have no tattoos, no certificates of denomination. If you want, you will find the place in Santiago where you can transform your Camino into the future that is the rest of your camino. I end where I began: San Agustin gets my vote!

 

[Dani7]

Attended the Sunday pilgrim mass at San Francisco. If you prefer a more quite, contemplative service don't go there. One poor lady had her fingers stuck in her ears the whole time. I just put in my noise-cancelling ear buds. Just saying'...........

Thanks. I do prefer more contemplative

 

[Dani7]

You have to be able to follow Spanish if you go to San Agustin, but the charisma of Baltasar speaks beyond language, and then the music, and if you are lucky, the cantor... the three form a symphony.
For those who have time, finding a place to be silent, and reflect, is possibly just what you need to gather together the moments, the hours, the days... of your camino. Hearts have no tattoos, no certificates of denomination. If you want, you will find the place in Santiago where you can transform your Camino into the future that is the rest of your camino. I end where I began: San Agustin gets my vote!

I am learning Spanish but have to up
My game. Not allocating enough time at the moment. Need to adjust that.

 

[hikingmd_05]

My friends & me were able to attend this English mass at the chapel of the pilgrim office. The mass was celebrated by a Filipino priest who had done several caminos. It was a highly emotional & moving experience for us. There was even a meetup with other pilgrims after the mass in one of the rooms in the pilgrim office.

 

[ObeeOne]

I will note these responses for my camino next year which I do intend to be a spiritual journey.