Sainte-Dévote Events in Monaco
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II attended Monaco’s annual Sainte-Dévote events on January 26 and 27, 2009.
Saint Dévote, Monaco’s patron Saint and special protector of the Sovereign Family was born in the 4th Century in Corsica. When she died, her body was ordered burned by the Romans to prevent veneration. According to legend, her body instead left Corsica on a boat bound for Africa and washed up on the shores of what is now Monaco during a storm around January 27 circa 303 AD. A still standing chapel was built in Monaco to house the relics. A thief reportedly tried to steal her relics to secure the Saint’s favor and was stopped by the local faithful who burned his boat.
Click the image to see the photo at Zimbio
The burning of the boat has become an important part of the Sainte-Dévote events and the participating members of the Sovereign family assist in the burning of a model boat during the evening processions which proceed a commemoration mass at the Monaco Cathedral the following day.
Photos of both day’s events are available here.
loved the pictures
Interesting, religon just keeps going.