17 Jan
A Weekend to Celebrate the Patron Saint of Monaco
Celebrations for Saint Devota will take place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 January 2013
The Saint Devota celebrations are one of the Principality of Monaco's oldest traditions.
According to legend, Devota was a young Christian woman who lived in Corsica in around 303 AD and was martyred by the Emperor Diocletian.
After her death, faithful Christians took her body and put it on a boat for Africa. But the boat, guided by a dove, arrived in Monaco.
Saint Devota has been the patron saint of Monaco since the 17th century. Since 1874, a boat has been burned each year in front of the church that bears her name. Afterwards, fireworks are let off from Port Hercule.
A Mass and a procession are also scheduled.
Saturday 26 January
10.30 am Eglise Sainte Dévote (Church of St. Devota): Mass of the Traditions, in Monegasque.
Blessing of the sea.
6.30 pm Port Hercule: Homage to Sainte Devota
Entry of the symbolic boat into Port Hercule.
6.45 pm from the Avenue Président J.F. Kennedy:
Procession of Saint Devota
7 pm Eglise Sainte Dévote:
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament presided over by His Grace Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco
7.45 pm Forecourt of the Eglise Sainte Dévote: Burning of the Symbolic Boat by the Princely Family and Monegasque dignitaries.
Afterwards, from the Quai Rainier III: Musical fireworks presented by the " Flash Art Monaco Entertainment" company.
Sunday 27 January
9.45 am Cathedral: Welcoming the Relics by members of the Clergy and the Venerable Brotherhood of Mercy.
10.00 am Cathedral: Pontifical Mass presided over by the Right Reverend Norbert Turini, Bishop of Cahors with homage to the nuns of Notre Dame du Rosaire
11.30 pm Monaco-Ville: Solemn Procession of the Relics, Monaco.
You can find all the info on: www.saintedevotemonaco.com