Saint Devota Festival Celebrations

Friday 26 January and Saturday 27, Principality of Monaco: Celebration of the Festival of Saint Devota, Patron Saint of the Princely Family of the Principality of Monaco and the Diocese of Monaco

Friday 26 January 2018

10.30 am Saint Devote Church: traditional mass, in the Monegasque language.

Blessing of the sea.

6:30 pm Port Hercule: Tribute to Saint Devote, Entrance of the Boat carrying relics. In the harbour in front of the Monaco Yacht Club: release of a dove and commencement of the procession in front of the Monaco Yacht Club, on Quai Louis II.

6:45 pm Arrival of the Boat and relics: Vallon des Gaumates. Procession halts, Remission of the relics and blessing of the city (in the presence of the Carabiniers du Prince).

6:45 pm from President J. F. Kennedy Avenue: Continuation of the procession with the relics of Saint Devote.

7.00 pm Saint Devote’s Church: Greetings from the Most Blessed Sacrament, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Albert II and the Princely Family, presided over by His Eminence Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco.

7:30 pm Parvis of the Saint Devote church: Lighting of the Symbolic Boat by the Princely Family

Afterwards, from Quai Rainier III: Fireworks presented by the “Flash Art Monaco Entertainment” company.

Saturday 27 January 2018

9:55 am Cathedral: reception of the Relics by Members of the Clergy and the Venerable Archconfraternity of Mercy.

10:00 am Cathedral: Pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Youssef Antoine Soueif, Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus

Musical program:

Entrance: Grand-Organ Entrance song: “Song of Saint Devote” – Louis-Lazare Perruchot Ordinaire, Mass of St. Boniface-Markus Wittal Responsorial Psalm Ps. 33 “Who looks to God will shine” – Jehan Revert Choir, string orchestra and organ Alleluia,

“Jubilee” – Jean-Paul Lécot “Credo in Unum Deum” Universal Prayer: “Lord hears the prayer that rises from our hearts” Offertory, Grand-Organ Anamnesis: “There is great the mystery of the Faith” Communion, Grand-Organ Chant of communion: “The king of love is my pastor” -Charles Gounod. Prayer for HSH the Sovereign Prince, Pontifical Blessing, Solemn Release, Grand-Organ.

Master of the Cathedral and Little Singers of Monaco Conductor: Pierre Debat, Master of the Grand Organ Chapel: Olivier Vernet, Choir Organist: Jean-Cyrille Gandillet.

11:15 am Monaco: solemn Procession of the Relics, under the presidency of Their Excellencies and with the participation of:

• members of the clergy,
• Mastery of the Cathedral,
• Penitents of the Venerable Archconfraternity of Mercy
• the delegation of the Municipal Council of Lucciana,
• and Municipal Music

Route: Bellando de Castro Street, Palace Square: Blessing of the Sovereign Home and the Princely Family. From the Ramparts: Blessing of the City, Cathedral Square: Blessing of the Sea by Their Excellencies

4:00 pm Saint Devote’s Church: Johannes Skudlik Organ Concert (organized by the Monaco Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with the Parish of St-Devote and the In Tempore Organi Association).