Saint Devota celebrations

Burning of the boat, Feast of Saint Devote

Celebrations for Saint Devota, Patron Saint of Monaco, will take place on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 January 2015.

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 (Dévotein 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 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 1874 – 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^th 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 to the Palace, to Monaco and to the sea, asking the Saint to protect the Sovereign, the Royal Family, Monaco and its population.

Find out more on:  www.saintedevotemonaco.com

Saint Devota celebrations

MONDAY 26 JANUARY 2015 

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

Blessing of the Sea

* * *

6 p.m. Port Hercule: Homage to Saint Devota

Symbolic Boat arrives in front of the Yacht Club of Monaco, a dove is released and

the procession departs

* * *

6.30 p.m. Arrival of the Symbolic Boat – Vallon des Gaumates

Procession stops for Blessing of the Relics

Presentation of the Relics

***

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

Procession of Saint 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: Musical

fireworks display presented by Flash Art Monaco Entertainment.

Sound Planned for the North Quays of the Port.

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY 2015 

9.50 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

His Grace Jean-Michel Di Falco Léandri, Bishop of Gap and d’Embrun

Musical Programme

Entrance: Great Organ

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

Ordinary:  Polyphonies on Mass XI "Orbis Factor" - Philippe Mazé

Responsorial Psalm:  Ps. 33 "He Who Looks to God will Shine" - Jehan Revert

Choir, string orchestra and organ

Alleluia: “En ré mineur” (“In D Minor”) - Philippe Maze

Credo: III - Plainsong

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:  "Paradise" (to a Breton folk tune) - Albert Alain

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

Route:

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 Grace Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco