Celebrations for Saint Devota's Day

©Direction de la Communication

On Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January 2017, celebrations will take place for Saint Devota, patron saint of Monaco.

These celebrations are linked to one of the Principality of Monaco's oldest traditions – a tradition that has permeated national culture in areas as varied as religion, folklore, popular beliefs, history, literature, the arts, paintings, music, numismatics and philately.

It stems from the legend known as the "Legend of Saint Devota," which was recounted in a medieval document.  The tradition is dear to the heart of Monegasques and has been documented repeatedly over the centuries in the city's history.

According to this legend, Devota (Dévote in French), a young Christian woman and native of Corsica, was martyred by the Prefect Barbarus under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian at a date that we can estimate at between 303 or 304.  Her body was stolen during the following night by believers, put in a boat and transported to Monaco, where it was buried in a chapel in a valley known as the "Gaumates," near the port, on 27 January of the same year.

Under Honoré II, in the 17^th century, Saint Devota became patron saint of Monaco.

The tradition has been perpetuated each year since 1877 – a boat is burned on a pyre in the presence of the Sovereign and the Royal Family, accompanied by Monegasque dignitaries.  Once the boat has been burned, fireworks are let off on Port Hercule.

On 27 January, the Feast Day, a Mass is celebrated in the Cathedral by the Archbishop of the Diocese.  This Mass is attended by the Prince's Government, Members of Parliament and constitutional bodies, as well as many of the faithful.  After the ceremony, a procession, with the penitents of the Brotherhood of Mercy, sets off for the Prince's Palace with the reliquary chasse containing the relics, escorted by the Palace Guards.

The procession halts in front of the Prince's Palace.  A guard of honour and the brass band of the Palace Guards pay homage to it.  The procession then heads towards the ramparts.  The Archbishop then holds up the relics and presents them towards the Palace, Monaco and the sea, asking the Saint to protect the Sovereign, the Royal Family, Monaco and its population.

Find out more on:  www.saintedevotemonaco.com

Celebrations for Saint Devota's Day:

THURSDAY 26 JANUARY 2017

10.30 a.m. Church of Saint Devota (Eglise Sainte Dévote):  Mass of the Traditions,

in Monegasque.

Blessing of the Sea 

6.15 p.m. Port Hercule – Quai des États-Unis, in front of the stop for the Boat Bus

Formation of the Procession, with the participation of:

• • • • • • • • • • • The Movement of Young Catholics of Saint Devota;
                    • Penitents of the Venerable Brotherhood of Mercy,
                    • "La Palladienne" Folk Society and Mandolinist,
                    • Penitents of the Brotherhood of "Santa Divota de Lucciana";
                    • A delegation from the Municipal Council of Lucciana;
                    • Guides and Scouts of Monaco.

* * *

6.30 p.m. Arrival of the Symbolic Boat

Introduction to the procession by Abbot J. C. Genson, Priest of the Saint Devota Parish

and release of a dove

* * *

6.45 p.m. Arrival of the Symbolic Boat – Valley of the Gaumates

The procession halts for the blessing of the relics

Presentation of the relics and Firing by the Palace Guards during the blessing

***

6.50 p.m. The procession sets off again to the Place Sainte Dévote

* * *

7.00 p.m. Church of Saint 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 Excellency Monsignor Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco.

Presentation of the altarpiece of Saint Devota of Dolceacqua at the end of the Service

* * *

7.30 p.m. Forecourt of the Church of Saint Devota:

Burning of the symbolic boat by the Royal Family 

* * *

Afterwards, from the Quai Rainier III:

Musical Fireworks

* * ** * ** * *

FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 2017

9.50 a.m. Cathedral:  welcoming of the Relics by Members of the

Clergy and the Venerable Brotherhood of Mercy.

* * *

10.00 a.m.  Cathedral:  Pontifical Mass,presided over by

His Excellency Monsignor Luigi Pezzuto, Apostolic Nuncio

Musical Programme

Entrance:  Great Organ

Opening hymn:  "Cantique à Sainte Dévote” ("Canticle for Saint Devota") 

- Msgr. Louis-Lazare Perruchot

Kyrie - Sanctus:  "Petite Messe" ("Short Mass") - Philippe Maze

Agnus Dei Gloria:  Mass VIII "de Angelis" - Gregorien   

Refrain of the Psalm:  "Allez dire au monde entier les merveilles de Dieu" ("Go and Tell the Whole World of the Marvels of God") - Henri Carol

Alleluia:  "de Montserrat" - Ireneu Segarra

Refrain of the Creed:  "Credo in unum Deum" – from the 1^st chorale by César Franck

Universal Prayer:  "Seigneur rassemble-nous dans la paix de ton amour" ("Lord, bring us together in the peace of your love")

Offertory:  Great Organ

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

Communion:  Great Organ

Communion Hymn:  "Chant de Méditation" ("Song of Meditation") - Henri Carol

Prayer for H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince

Solemn Pontifical Blessing

Exit:  Great Organ

Cathedral Choir and the 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,
                      • the Cathedral Choir,
                      • Penitents of the Venerable Brotherhood of Mercy,
                      • the delegation from the Municipal Council of Lucciana,
                      • and the Municipal Brass Band.

Route:

Chapelle de la Miséricorde, Place de la Mairie,

Rue Émile de Loth, Rue de l’Église and Allée Saint Jean-Paul II,

Forecourt of the Cathedral;

MASS

Rue Bellando de Castro,

Place du Palais:  Blessing of the Sovereign House

From the ramparts:  Blessing of the City

Forecourt of the Cathedral:  BLESSING OF THE SEA by His Excellency

Monsignor Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco,

Forecourt of the Cathedral, Rue de l’Église and the Allée Saint Jean-Paul II,

Rue Émile de Loth,

Chapelle de la Miséricorde

4.00 p.m. Church of Saint Devota:  Organ Concert

Fabio Ciofini

 (provided by the Department of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Association "In Tempore Organi" )