- Time of past OR future Camino
- Too many and too often!
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I realize this maybe a stupid question but those if you who are more familiar do you think there any chance they may move the Botafumiero to another church? Has it ever been in another church? It meant a lot to to me to be there on November 1st for All Saints Day Mass.
Thank you for your response. That’s what I thought.I would think it very unlikely. Whatever building it was installed in would have to have the support beams and pulley system installed. A major piece of building work that might well cause problems for the fabric of the building. And just for the few months of the cathedral closure? Doesn't seem worth the trouble and expense.
Yikes! I suppose they have very good reason...
Yikes! I suppose they have very good reason...
I am "afraid" you are right.Hmm does this mean I have to plan a third camino so I can see the botafumeiro in action?
I didn't get to see the Botafumeiro in use, but I did witness the congregation holding their cell phones up in anticipation of seeing it fly. That was one of the more missable experiences of my Camino (the behavior of some people, not the mass).Absence of the Botafumeiro will only be noticed by those persons who make it a primary focus of their arrival at Santiago.
Hmm does this mean I have to plan a third camino so I can see the botafumeiro in action?
Not all of 2017. I was there in May 2017 and was swinging.The Basilica of Saint Francis is beautiful in its own right. The Pilgrim Masses to be held there each day will be wonderful.
Absence of the Botafumeiro will only be noticed by those persons who make it a primary focus of their arrival at Santiago. This is but one feature of the entire pilgrimage and visit to the Cathedral and the relics of the Apostle Saint James.
If I read correctly, despite the disjointed nature of the various points of interest or devotion, everything remains accessible EXCEPT the Botafumeiro. Remember, (and IIRC) the Botafumeiro was also offline while it was being restored during all of 2017 and into 2018. So we have all been there before.
The authorities are trying to finish the entire renovation ASAP, but before the 2021 Holy Year.
Hope this helps.
The Pilgrim mass is special without the Botafumeiro. But yeah, it’s pretty cool to watch. You’ll just have to go back next yearOh no, picked the wrong year. I have never seen the botafumeiro swing. And I promised my husband he would, by my accounts we arrive into Santiago on his birthday. I thought that would be an awesome present, the pilgrim mass on his birthday.
Not all of 2017. I was there in May 2017 and was swinging.
You can see the Botafumeiro on You Tube. Seeing it in person, at least once is a huge thing for many people.
But you can easily see the entire ceremony online, even on your networked big screen TV, courtesy of all the tourists in the Cathedral.
Me tooMe too
Funny thing is I told people about this back in July when my son returned from Santiago with this news. No-one believed meNo pilgrim masses to be held in the Santiago cathedral for up to a year - from Monday 28 January
It has been announced in local websites that from next Monday ALL masses will be suspended in the cathedral while building work goes on other than the 11am parish mass in the Corticela chapel. Including all pilgrim masses and major festivals which will be transferred to other churches in the historic town centre including San Francisco and San Martin Pinario. This may continue for up to one year. There will still be limited visitor access to the cathedral and it will remain possible to visit the apostle's relics or hug the Apostle but there will be no liturgical celebrations in the cathedral itself.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...s-casco-historico/00031548262118708779144.htm
https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-sin-misas-catedral-santiago-durante-201901231827_noticia.html
St Francis is indeed a beautiful church. In my 5 visits to Santiago, (only 3 on pilgrimage), the most memorable Mass I attended was in this basilicaThe Basilica of Saint Francis is beautiful in its own right. The Pilgrim Masses to be held there each day will be wonderful.
Absence of the Botafumeiro will only be noticed by those persons who make it a primary focus of their arrival at Santiago. This is but one feature of the entire pilgrimage, a visit to the Cathedral and the relics of the Apostle Saint James.
If I read correctly, despite the disjointed nature of the various points of interest or devotion, everything remains accessible EXCEPT the Botafumeiro. Remember, (and IIRC) the Botafumeiro was also offline while it was being restored during all of 2017 and into 2018. So we have all been there before.
(NOTE: AlaskaDiver has corrected my recollection. It was closed in late 2017 and into the first half of 2018 for repairs to the pulley mechanism. It was once again used when I arrived for volunteer service in mid-July 2018).
The authorities are trying to finish the entire renovation ASAP, but before the 2021 Holy Year.
Hope this helps.
Funny thing is I told people about this back in July when my son returned from Santiago with this news. No-one believed meeither on here or the face book groups I told about it
There will be no tourists armed with cellphones trying to capture the uncapturable.
And mass will just be...mass. I look forward to the sanity of that.
No pilgrim masses to be held in the Santiago cathedral for up to a year - from Monday 28 January
It has been announced in local websites that from next Monday ALL masses will be suspended in the cathedral while building work goes on other than the 11am parish mass in the Corticela chapel. Including all pilgrim masses and major festivals which will be transferred to other churches in the historic town centre including San Francisco and San Martin Pinario. This may continue for up to one year. There will still be limited visitor access to the cathedral and it will remain possible to visit the apostle's relics or hug the Apostle but there will be no liturgical celebrations in the cathedral itself.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...s-casco-historico/00031548262118708779144.htm
https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-sin-misas-catedral-santiago-durante-201901231827_noticia.html
No pilgrim masses to be held in the Santiago cathedral for up to a year - from Monday 28 January
It has been announced in local websites that from next Monday ALL masses will be suspended in the cathedral while building work goes on other than the 11am parish mass in the Corticela chapel. Including all pilgrim masses and major festivals which will be transferred to other churches in the historic town centre including San Francisco and San Martin Pinario. This may continue for up to one year. There will still be limited visitor access to the cathedral and it will remain possible to visit the apostle's relics or hug the Apostle but there will be no liturgical celebrations in the cathedral itself.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...s-casco-historico/00031548262118708779144.htm
https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-sin-misas-catedral-santiago-durante-201901231827_noticia.html
You will still be able to see the Cathedral and hug the statue and see the crypt. Why see it as a "sign" not to go when it might be a challenge to test your real reason for going? The Botafumeiro is cool to see, but honestly, with the massive amounts of tourists crowding the cathedral taking photos and just being overall disrespectful during mass-ugh. We're going back in April and plan to take in the rooftop tour and the other tours in the church, but we had no plan to go to Pilgrim mass at the Cathedral. We're going to a smaller church.My last chance to be on the Camino due to health issues is this year, and one of the highlights which I wanted to see will not be available. No, UTube doesn’t fill that for me. But I guess the journey is more important than the destination. Perhaps I should focus on that...but I admit I feel like this might be a sign not to go at all. 2020 is, unfortunately not an option.
Went from Pamplona to Astorga last year and had to quit due to severe sciatica. At this moment I am sitting here with a wrist in a cast with pins and plates after crashing a bike in France and that was exacerbated by an incompetent hand surgeon . This is the second surgery. Husband has health issues so 2019 is my only shot. Am going to try for September so perhaps this is a test of my determination. Again, I do believe the journey is more important than the destination. We all end up at the same destination in life and death. It is how we get there that makes the difference .You will still be able to see the Cathedral and hug the statue and see the crypt. Why see it as a "sign" not go when it might be a challenge to test your real reason for going? The Botafumeiro is cool to see, but honestly, with the massive amounts of tourists crowding the cathedral taking photos and over just being disrespectful during mass-ugh. We're going back and April and plan to take in the rooftop tour and the other tours in the church, but we had no plan to go to Pilgrim mass at the Cathedral. We're going to a smaller church.
You may be voicing a question that many have, @domigee.Can someone explain to me why it matters so much?
I dont mean to be ackward but I just don’t get it.
Glad I read your post. No doubt it's all about the journey for me. My pack, my fellow pilgrims and peace as I walk the entire CF and take it all in. Buen camino to all.Alright, this will probably be a post that will get disagreeing comments (which is fine).
The "botafumeiro swing" was probably the only and most disappointing moment of my entire camino.
I read so much about it before I walked. Of how it was impressive, magical. I thought it would be marvellous. But I probably let my expectations go too high. Then I attended the mass (which was very moving and beautiful) and they started swinging the botafumeiro. Much smaller than it seems on the internet, actually.
My thoughts were "really? is that it?". I was underwhelmed. Normally i would just shrugh my shoulder and think "oh well", but then there were all those phones and photos and people making noise. The Disneyland-like behaviour really tainted the experience. I didn't mind the crowds or the conga-line after Sarria, but people behaving like that in a mass just got me. If they wanna go mad at a candelabra-like thing swinging, they can watch the Phantom of the Opera (but maybe they would behave, because for theatre you pay).
On my second camino I arrived at the church, attended mass at a side chapel and walked out. I didnt even ask if there would be botafumeiro. I'm glad I saw it once because it dismissed any (all0 the expectations I had, but if anyone asks me, I would say "good if you can satisfy your curiosity, but don't be sad at all if you miss it. It is nothing compared to what you experience while trying to get there".
Geez, that’s a lot to deal with. I wish you the best and pray for a speedy recovery. I hope you get to make it this year. Hugs (( ))Went from Pamplona to Astorga last year and had to quit due to severe sciatica. At this moment I am sitting here with a wrist in a cast with pins and plates after crashing a bike in France and that was exacerbated by an incompetent hand surgeon . This is the second surgery. Husband has health issues so 2019 is my only shot. Am going to try for September so perhaps this is a test of my determination. Again, I do believe the journey is more important than the destination. We all end up at the same destination in life and death. It is how we get there that makes the difference .
It wasn’t on short notice. This was announced months and months ago. It just didn’t make to this forum until now.You may be voicing a question that many have, @domigee.
I've certainly wondered the same thing.
Tourists aside, the whole botafumerio ritual can be moving, no doubt about that. But it's just an interesting and impressive experience, and I guess if you collect those, it's disappointing to miss.
But next to the inner wealth that can be gained by walking any significant distance getting to Santiago, it pales by comparison.
I am more concerned at a year-long closure at short notice, wondering if there is significant structural damage to the cathedral that needs repair.
The way I understand it, the roof of the Cathedral will be also closed to visitors, at least during some of the time. See for example:We're going back in April and plan to take in the rooftop tour and the other tours in the church, but we had no plan to go to Pilgrim mass at the Cathedral. We're going to a smaller church.
Yes, this is my last shot. Health issues make 2020 impossible, but disappointments and joys are part of however many days we have left.https://www.ultreyatours.com/blog/t...dral-to-other-nearby-churches-in-all-of-2019/
Very poor consolidation for someone who plan the Camino more than 1 year and now is reading this shocking info. Info at the last monent, without warning early. Someone can repeat his Camino in the next years, but for someone it can be his the last possibility in his life
I do hope you still walk the Camino if it matters so much to you because, even if there is no botafumeiro in the end, you will probably come to the conclusion - as you advance on your journey - that it doesn’t matter in the least... That’s my opinion anyway, for what it’s worthYes, this is my last shot. Health issues make 2020 impossible, but disappointments and joys are part of however many days we have left.
The way I understand it, the roof of the Cathedral will be also closed to visitors, at least during some of the time. See for example:
https://www.elcorreogallego.es/sant...ulcro/idEdicion-2019-01-24/idNoticia-1161015/
https://www.europapress.es/turismo/...io-200000-visitantes-2018-20190118182955.html
My active knowledge of Spanish is limited but don't these sentences in the two newspaper articles say that the rooftop is closed and there will be no tours sold and guided by the Cathedral museum:I don’t read anything there about the rooftop tour being closed.
And me...Me too
I saw the botafumiero swing when I did the Camino in 1989. We didn't see it swing when I walked with my son in 2016 and I was quite disappointed that he missed that experience. But the experience of the Camino was fantastic. I saw it again after my Camino Portuguese last year.I missed the Botafumero on my first Camino last April, I planned to go back this year hoping to see it. Now I’m debating if I should postpone till next year. I know that’s not the principal reason to go but I certainly had a heart set on seeing it once at least.
Absolutely focus on that. Nice and impressive as it is, the experience of seeing the botafumiero swing is minuscule and minute when compared to the experience of walking the Camino. Not walking the Camino because you won't see the botafumiero swing is like saying "I can't get my fingernails to look the way I want them to so I'm going to cut off my arm."My last chance to be on the Camino due to health issues is this year, and one of the highlights which I wanted to see will not be available. No, UTube doesn’t fill that for me. But I guess the journey is more important than the destination. Perhaps I should focus on that...but I admit I feel like this might be a sign not to go at all. 2020 is, unfortunately not an option.
Oh Dear - not to worry I'm still going- very much looking forward to itNo pilgrim masses to be held in the Santiago cathedral for up to a year - from Monday 28 January
It has been announced in local websites that from next Monday ALL masses will be suspended in the cathedral while building work goes on other than the 11am parish mass in the Corticela chapel. Including all pilgrim masses and major festivals which will be transferred to other churches in the historic town centre including San Francisco and San Martin Pinario. This may continue for up to one year. There will still be limited visitor access to the cathedral and it will remain possible to visit the apostle's relics or hug the Apostle but there will be no liturgical celebrations in the cathedral itself.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...s-casco-historico/00031548262118708779144.htm
https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-sin-misas-catedral-santiago-durante-201901231827_noticia.html
Yes I should say so!Hmm does this mean I have to plan a third camino so I can see the botafumeiro in action?
Yep we heard this while walking the Portugues last year and asked the forum for confirmation but didn't get much of a response.Funny thing is I told people about this back in July when my son returned from Santiago with this news. No-one believed meeither on here or the face book groups I told about it
Donna, I was just thinking the very same thing ....Hmm does this mean I have to plan a third camino so I can see the botafumeiro in action?
Donna, I was just thinking the very same thing ....
Donna, I was just thinking the very same thing ....
'Tis a terrible long way to walk just to see a big burny thing hanging from the ceilingHmm does this mean I have to plan a third camino so I can see the botafumeiro in action?
Annoying for some, but the walk is the main thing - 'it's not the destination but the journey'!No pilgrim masses to be held in the Santiago cathedral for up to a year - from Monday 28 January
It has been announced in local websites that from next Monday ALL masses will be suspended in the cathedral while building work goes on other than the 11am parish mass in the Corticela chapel. Including all pilgrim masses and major festivals which will be transferred to other churches in the historic town centre including San Francisco and San Martin Pinario. This may continue for up to one year. There will still be limited visitor access to the cathedral and it will remain possible to visit the apostle's relics or hug the Apostle but there will be no liturgical celebrations in the cathedral itself.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...s-casco-historico/00031548262118708779144.htm
https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-sin-misas-catedral-santiago-durante-201901231827_noticia.html
I agree the nun- I think is Madre Victoria has the voice of an angel she reduced me to tears last SeptemberWe have been lucky to see the botafumeiro swing at every one of the Pilgrim Masses we have attended since our first Camino in 2012. While it would be disappointing to not see it this year I would hope that the beautiful singing of the Cathedral Nun can still be heard in the other Churches where the officials are planning to have the Pilgrims Masses. That was an amazing experience for me.
Oh no! I am planning myCamino in September of this year and the Pilgrim Mass was so much a part of my Camino.No pilgrim masses to be held in the Santiago cathedral for up to a year - from Monday 28 January
It has been announced in local websites that from next Monday ALL masses will be suspended in the cathedral while building work goes on other than the 11am parish mass in the Corticela chapel. Including all pilgrim masses and major festivals which will be transferred to other churches in the historic town centre including San Francisco and San Martin Pinario. This may continue for up to one year. There will still be limited visitor access to the cathedral and it will remain possible to visit the apostle's relics or hug the Apostle but there will be no liturgical celebrations in the cathedral itself.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notic...s-casco-historico/00031548262118708779144.htm
https://www.abc.es/espana/galicia/abci-sin-misas-catedral-santiago-durante-201901231827_noticia.html
Don't let this stop you. If you can go, then go!
No, as you can see, no scaffolding around Big Ben (or The Great Bell):You got the Santiago cathedral, the statue of liberty AND the Big Ben wrapped in scaffolding? Man, let me know when you are in Paris next so I will book my visit to Eifel Tower when you are not there!
Joke aside, I totally agree with you. When I finished my camino in 2017 the cathedral was all wrapped. After a second of surprise, there were minutes of happiness thinking "someone is taking care of it"
People should definetly just go and enjoy!
I was a bit surprised to read today in newspapers - and later also in other sources such as books and on the website of the Spanish pilgrims association - that the "pilgrims mass" as we know it today was created forty years ago in the Holy Year 1976: En el Año Santo 1976, el arzobispo Angel Suquía, instauró la Misa del Peregrino que hoy conocemos.
No, let's not go there but now that you mentioned it my next thought was, of course: they didn't create a designated "pilgrims mass" in the Holy Year 1976 for the sole benefit of the 243 souls who arrived on foot during that year.The Spanish language Wikipedia article on the Camino says that in the 1976 Holy Year only 243 pilgrims were recorded. In 1978 there were only 13. Of course this raises the old old question of whether one has to walk to be a pilgrim but let's not go down that path yet again
I don't guess that the journey is more important than the destination. I know it is.My last chance to be on the Camino due to health issues is this year, and one of the highlights which I wanted to see will not be available. No, UTube doesn’t fill that for me. But I guess the journey is more important than the destination. Perhaps I should focus on that...but I admit I feel like this might be a sign not to go at all. 2020 is, unfortunately not an option.
We had hoped to see the Botafumeiro swing at the culmination of our Camino, October 2018, but despite attending 3 pilgrim masses over 4 days, it did not happen. Never mind, the Masses themselves were beautiful and moving and we did not need the censing to know/feel our achievement. Perhaps it will happen at another time, a future Camino, or just within my heart.Hola @t2andreo . I agree with your "Yikes". I have a feeling that this one of two issues - a follow-up to the work on the outside, which I now understand is completed; or its a preparation for the next Holy Year (2021??). But either way I expect there are going to be a large number of disappointed pilgrims, particularly those expecting to see the Botofumerio swing. Cheers
Hola @t2andreo . I agree with your "Yikes". I have a feeling that this one of two issues - a follow-up to the work on the outside, which I now understand is completed; or its a preparation for the next Holy Year (2021??). But either way I expect there are going to be a large number of disappointed pilgrims, particularly those expecting to see the Botofumerio swing. Cheers
Oh well. We did the camino from Porto last May, and we are going back this May to walk from SdC to Muxia and Finisterre. I was hoping to attend a pilgrim mass in the cathederal, but that will have to wait for another year
That is interesting. Last May it was held in the nearby San Francisco Church (Rua San Francisco). I will check nearer the time.
We have a running joke about scaffolding covering important monuments when we travel. Capital Hill, Big Ben, Santiago Cathedral both outside & inside, Seville Cathedral, and many other landmarks that don’t immediately spring to mind. So glad to hear it’s not only us that think we are jinxedYou got the Santiago cathedral, the statue of liberty AND the Big Ben wrapped in scaffolding? Man, let me know when you are in Paris next so I will book my visit to Eifel Tower when you are not there!
Maybe the original poster @Bradypus or a moderator will have mercy with us and edit the original post to add “2019” after the words “Monday 28 January” as not everybody may immediately notice that the 28th of January is not going to fall on a Monday during this current year 2020 and during the next nine years. OTOH, without such modification, this may be the start of a wonderful tradition of reviving this thread from time to time and exchanging memories of the past and hopes for the future, like many other beloved outdated threads do ...I’m surprised by the original post as the Cathedral was not being used for any religious Mass in November as the interior is a maze of scaffolding and plastic sheeting. The pilgrim mass was being held at the church of St Francis of Assisi that is joined to a hotel.
Done!Maybe the original poster @Bradypus or a moderator will have mercy with us and edit the original post to add “2019” after the words “Monday 28 January” as not everybody may immediately notice that the 28th of January is not going to fall on a Monday during this current year 2020 and during the next nine years.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?