The Botafumeiro

In 2007 my husband walked the last 100km of the Camino Frances, joining me at Sarria. He was very disappointed not to see the Botafumeiro at two mid-day masses.

When I made enquiries at the Pilgrim's Office about the swinging of the Botafumeiro I was told that it follows a liturgical calendar that forms part of the mass. Outside of these dates, one can make a request, and payment, in advance to have it swung during the mass. The cost then was 240 euro - I'm not sure what it is now. Many groups share the cost so that they can see the Botafumeiro when they attend mass.

The fixed dates are:
January - Epiphany
Easter Sunday
Ascension of the Lord
Pentecost (50 days after Easter)
Anniversary of the Battle of Clavijo - May 23
July 25: Feast of St. James the Apostle
August: Assumption
All Saints
Feast of Christ the King (Sunday before the first Sunday of Advent
Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception
December 25: Christmas
December 30: translation of the Holy Apostle

To book the Botafumerio send a request to:
Pilgrims Centre
Rúa do Vilar, 1
15705 Santiago de Compostela
Tel: (+34) 981 568 846
http://www.archicompostela.org / Pilgrim
peregrinos@archicompostela.org

Thanks John - it would be nice if there was a notice on the site that tells pilgrims when the Botafumeiro will swing. I know its not what the mass is about (Don Jaime scolded me about that in 2002!) but it would be nice to know beforehand and perhaps have time to reserve it for a particular day.