Saint Devota celebrations

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These celebrations are among the oldest traditions of the Principality of Monaco, and have permeated the national culture in areas as diverse as religion, folklore, popular beliefs, history, literature, the arts, painting, music, coins and stamps.

The tradition derives from the so-called “Legend of St. Devota” passed down through a medieval document. It holds a special place in the heart of Monegasques, and has been documented throughout centuries of the city’s history.

According to the legend, Devota, a young Christian woman from Corsica, was martyred by the prefect Barbarus under Emperors Diocletian and Maximian on a date believed to have been in 303 or 304. Her body, removed the following night by believers, was placed in a boat, taken to Monaco and buried in a chapel in the Vallon des Gaumates near the port on 27 January of the same year.

Under Honoré II in the seventeenth century, St. Devota became the patron saint of Monaco.

According to an annual tradition established in 1874, a boat is burned on a pyre in the presence of the Sovereign and his family, accompanied by leading figures from Monaco. Following the burning of the boat, there is a fireworks display on Port Hercule.

On 27 January, the day of the festival, a solemn mass is celebrated in the Cathedral by the Archbishop of the Diocese. This is attended by the Royal Family, the Prince’s government, the elected assemblies and constitutional bodies, and many of the faithful. After the ceremony, a procession involving Penitents of the Brotherhood of Mercy heads towards the Prince’s Palace with the shrine containing the relics, escorted by the Palace Guards.

The procession comes to a halt on Place du Palais. A guard of honour and the orchestra of the Palace Guards greet the procession and an officiant blesses the Royal Family with the relics. The procession then makes its way to the ramparts where another officiant blesses Monaco and its people. Finally, it returns to the front of the Cathedral where a final officiant blesses the sea and fishermen.

For more information, see: www.saintedevotemonaco.com

Saint Devota celebrations:

FRIDAY 26 JANUARY 2018

 10.30 a.m. Church of St. Devota: Mass of the Traditions, in Monegasque.

 Blessing of the Sea

 * * *

 6.30 pm Port Hercule: Homage to Saint Devota

Boat bearing the relics enters the port

in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco: a dove is released and

the procession departs from in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco on Quai Louis II

 * * *

6.45 p.m. Arrival of the Boat and relics – Vallon des Gaumates

Procession stops

Presentation of relics and blessing of the town

(in the presence of the Palace Guards)

 ***

 6.45 p.m. from Avenue Président J.F. Kennedy:

Continuation of procession

with relics of St. Devota

 * * *

 7 p.m. Church of St. Devota: Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament,

in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and the Royal Family

and presided over by His Grace Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco.

 * * *

 7.30 p.m. Forecourt of the Church of St. Devota: Burning of the

Symbolic Boat by the Royal Family

 * * *

Afterwards, from Quai Rainier III: Fireworks display

presented by Flash Art Monaco Entertainment

SATURDAY 27 JANUARY 2018

 9.55 a.m. Cathedral:Welcoming of the Relics by Members

of the Clergy and the Venerable Brotherhood of Mercy.

 * * *

 10 a.m. Cathedral: Pontifical Mass presided over by

Monsignor Youssef Antoine Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus

 Musical Programme

 Entrance: Great Organ

Opening hymn: “Cantique à Sainte Dévote” (“Canticle for St. Devota”)– Monsignor Louis-Lazare Perruchot

Ordinary: Mass of St. Boniface Markus Wittal

Responsorial psalm: Psalm 33, "Qui regarde vers Dieu resplendira” (“Those who look to Him are radiant”) – Jean Revert

Choir, string orchestra and organ

Alleluia: “du Jubilé” (“Jubilee Mass”) – Jean-Paul Lécot

“Credo in unum Deum”

Universal prayer: “Seigneur entend la prière qui monte de nos cœurs” (“Lord, Hear the Prayer in Our Hearts”)

Offertory: Great Organ

Anamnesis: “Il est grand le mystère de la Foi” (“Great is the Mystery of Faith”)

Communion:  Great Organ

Communion hymn: “Le roi d'amour est mon pasteur” (“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”) – Charles Gounod

Prayer for H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince

Solemn Pontifical Blessing

Exit: Great Organ

 Cathedral Choir and Little Singers of Monaco

Conductor: Pierre Debat, Chapel Master

Great Organ: Olivier Vernet, Resident Organist

Choir Organ: Jean-Cyrille Gandillet, Resident Organist

* * *

 11.15 a.m. Monaco-Ville: Solemn Procession of the Relics,

led by Their Excellencies and with the participation of:

members of the Clergy

Cathedral Choir

Penitents of the Venerable Brotherhood of Mercy

a delegation from Lucciana Municipal Council

and the Municipal Music

Route:

Rue Bellando de Castro,

Place du Palais: Blessing of the Sovereign House,

and the Royal Family

From the Ramparts: Blessing of the City,

Forecourt of the Cathedral: Blessing of the Sea

by Their Excellencies 

4 p.m. Church of St. Devota: Organ Concert

Johannes Skudlik

(organised by the Monaco Department of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Parish of St. Devota and the In Tempore Organi association)