Sainte Devote Celebration: 2007 - 2024


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Avalon

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Celebration of the Saint Devote - 2007-01-27

Prince Albert of Monaco at the celebration of the Saint Devote. The legend of Devote, the country's patron saint and founder, is a cherished part of Monegasque heritage. Every year on 26 January a torchlit ceremony is held for her at the Church of St Devote. According to the tradition, a small boat is set alight on the harbour, by the "Vallon des Gaumattes", with the participation of the Grimaldi family. This very symbolic celebration can be explained thanks to the story of Sainte Devote. She was most certainly born in Corsica, in the year 283 A.D.; she was hounded and tortured because of her Christian faith. When her wounded body was being burnt at the stake, confessors of the faith snatched it away and escaped by boat with the intention of going to Africa. Unfortunately, the winds were not favourable and the sailors fell asleep. A dream instructed them to continue their journey and follow a dove. They finally arrived near Monachon, in the "Vallon Gannates" (Vallon des Gaumattes) where the body of the martyr was laid to rest. Subsequently, a few miracles occurred, people spread the news and Devote became the Patron Saint of Monaco.

Pictures (first day):
Prince Albert
Prince Albert 2
Prince Albert 3
Prince Albert 4

Second day:
Prince Albert
Prince Albert 2

more pictures here (1st day).
and here (2nd day).
 
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Thanks for the pics, Avalon and Tosca!!
Albert looked great at Saint Devote, but I missed the whole family there or at least one of his sisters like in times when Rainier was still there..
 
I was thinking the same. It would be so nice to see the whole princely family during St Devote. Maybe it'll change.:)
 
Albert very devote to his believe. I wish his sisters was there.
 
Do anybody know why Albert sisters don't come? Stephaine use to come.
 
I agree LadyMac, it's such a sad, lonely image. How hard could it be fior his sisters to join him? Speaking of family unity indeed...
 
Thanks Iceflower it's sad to see him standing in the window alone again. I wish one of his sister's had been there.


He'll be okay, Lady Mac. He smiles and grins a lot. He's allowed to look serious some time, shouldn't he. Frowning or serious looking doen't necessarily mean sad. We're all on the outside looking in.
 
He'll be okay, Lady Mac. He smiles and grins a lot. He's allowed to look serious some time, shouldn't he. Frowning or serious looking doen't necessarily mean sad. We're all on the outside looking in.
I didn't mean he was sad I meant it was sad to see him alone and not with at least one of his sisters as I said in my post. But that's okay :flowers:.
 
Those were my thoughts when I saw P Albert standing in the window: he looked so lonely. Most royals his age would appear surrounded by wife and kids. Lets hope one day we will see him happy standing with his spouse and children during such occasion.:)
 
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On Monday and Tuesday, January 26 and 27, 2009, Monaco will
celebrate Sainte Devote, Patron Saint of the Princely Family, of the
Principality of Monaco and the Diocese of Monaco, again, here's the
schedule:

Monday 26th January at 6.15pm, Port Hercule: Festivities for Saint
Dévote: Tribute to Sainte-Dévote – arrival of the symbolic small boat
followed by the Procession for Saint Dévote from Avenue Président
J.- F. Kennedy at 6.30pm

Monday 26th January at 7pm, Eglise Saint Dévote: Festivities for Saint
Dévote: Salut du Très Saint-Sacrement followed by the setting alight
of the symbolic small boat on the square in front of the Eglise Sainte
Dévote at 7.45pm. Fireworks

Tuesday 27th January at 9.45am, Monaco Cathedral: Festivities for
Saint Dévote: Welcoming of Relics by Members of the Clergy and
the Venerable Archiconfrérie de la Miséricorde followed by Pontifical
Mass at 10am and a procession through the streets of Monaco Town
 
Thanks, Iceflower, for opening this thread on Sainte-Dévote!
Here are some more bits of info:

The SD festival and the patronage are closely bound up with the Sovereign Prince.

On June 9th, 2003, (Pentecost/Whitsun) Rainier and Albert travelled to Lucciana, Corsica, where they attended the 1700th centenary of the martyrdom of SD.
The Corsicans have SD as their patron also.

This 2003 journey was to be Rainier's last official visit to another country.

Accueil - saintedevotemonaco.com - sainte devote, sainte patronne de monaco et de la corse. with photos...
www.curagiu.com/saintedevote.htm (from Corsica)
Le Diocèse de Monaco
Le Diocèse de Monaco
Le Diocèse de Monaco
This site has nice pictures of SD, as well as several pretty postage stamps in her honour, and a coin. There is also the Parish of Sainte Dévote in Monaco.

One would not imagine that there could be a connection between SD and the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, but there is indeed a bend on the course named in her honour.

The ship burning ceremony is a high profile event; apart from Albert, the front line consists of Monsignor Barsi (Bishop of Monaco), Jean-Paul Proust (Minister of State), Stéphane Valéri (presides over the Conseil National), and Georges Marsan (Mayor of Monaco). These five set the boat alight, before anyone else gets to have a go.

Nice-Matin has already got the ceremony in today's newsletter:
sainte dévote - nicematin.com

Wikipedia has a beautiful painting of SD:
Sainte Dévote - Wikipédia

Not to be outdone, the Mairie of Monaco has a richly illustrated pdf document:
http://www.monaco-mairie.mc/00_Actus/pdf/jan04/devote.pdf
 
Pics 26.1.2009

You are most welcome, Renata4711, but one should add that
is was your idea :flowers:

Prince Albert II of Monaco sets fire to a model boat during the Sainte
Devote processions on January 26, 2009 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. In
1924 Louis II, Prince of Monaco introduced the custom of setting fire
to a fishing boat on the evening of January 26 in memory of the
burning of Florentine captain Antinope's ship on the beach of Monaco,
when he was caught after stealing the relics of Sainte Devote.

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **
 
Thank you anabell :flowers:

Here are some additional pics from zimbio:

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **

Ceremony of the Sainte-Devote


And here are pics from today:

Prince Albert II of Monaco waves as he leaves the cathedral after a mass as part as the Sainte
Devote ceremonies and watches the procession from a balcony of the Princely Palace on January
27, 2009 in Monaco.

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **
.
 
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And once again, a sad, lonely picture of a solitary prince... Princess Caroline please step forward, your people awaits you!!!
 
I agree with you, Lazuli , why Caroline is absent again ? Since Albert's coronation I have always thought that she wouldn't take away the limelight to her brother ,but it's better she returns! Prince Albert is Peter Pan !
 
Postscript to the Sainte-Dévote festivities:

Yesterday (27th) Prince Albert unveiled a plaque with the name "quai Lucciana", in the presence of the Mayor of Lucciana (Corsica), the Mayor of Monaco, the Minister of State and others.
Since 2008, Monaco is twinned with Lucciana because both communities have Sainte-Dévote as their patron saint.
Monaco.maville.com La contre-jetée devient le «quai Lucciana»
 
I hope P. Caroline will attend this year's celebrations of Sainte Devote. The past couple of years, P. Albert had none of his sisters with him on such a day and, to me, he was the true image of loneliness... :crown4:
 
I don't agree with PA being "lonely" on these occasions. He is the Head of State and cuts a statesman-like figure. Apart from National Day, Sainte-Dévote is the second state occasion when the Archbishop, the whole government etc. turn out in force.

The whole of Monaco enjoys the occasion because it is less militaristic than National Day, and burning a boat is always great fun!
 
I don't agree with PA being "lonely" on these occasions. He is the Head of State and cuts a statesman-like figure. Apart from National Day, Sainte-Dévote is the second state occasion when the Archbishop, the whole government etc. turn out in force.

The whole of Monaco enjoys the occasion because it is less militaristic than National Day, and burning a boat is always great fun!

I have to agree with Lazuli---- Rainier III knew image was everything that is why he got married and he and Grace produced a modern Monaco - modern/glamourous royal family to Eurpoe and the world where they could be taken seriously....

I do like that the fact in Albert reign he has downplayed the " casino" -I think even Rainier started this, also--- It seems to me that Monaco has taken more of executive business like air-----BTW- i saw that the casino will be closed for 6 months for renovation, later this year!

In retrospect if Albert had married and sire children legally- the Caroline problem ( marriage) would be just a whisper. The Saint Devote always been been a family affair under Rainier. That pic of him alone on the balcony- the symbolic tones is that this is a man that is very alone. Could u imagine that Caro and Steph told Rainier that they were busy and coudnt be bothered for the Devote celebrations-- I shudder the thought! Albert could not even bring his extended family together! I applaud the green prince! The image prince or his advisors need a good waking UP! :cool:
 
Glistening Seas

:candycane: I too disagree that PA presents the "lonely" pic to St Devote or elsewhere.

:candycane: Many times thru the years Pss. Grace attended religious outings without Ranier by her side. St Devote is part of Monaco history & PA and the bishop don't need to have the 'whole crowd' there to make this tradition a noteworthy affair!:heartflower:
 
:candycane: I too disagree that PA presents the "lonely" pic to St Devote or elsewhere.

:candycane: Many times thru the years Pss. Grace attended religious outings without Ranier by her side. St Devote is part of Monaco history & PA and the bishop don't need to have the 'whole crowd' there to make this tradition a noteworthy affair!:heartflower:
I'm talking about the royal family family's IMAGE to the world..... what other royal head is officiating royal events alone and @ home! Must you remember Monaco is a small place there is no aristocracy-- surely three people can get together for 4 or 5 evenings a year!

I dont know how you fellow Grimadis watchers feel -- it seems like the royal family of Monaco is no more- yes Caro and Steph and their chiildren -- but I mean a centralized royal family like every royal family has-- Prince- Princess--- and siblings...... Seem like to be me that Rainier put his money on the wrong heir:cool:
 
:twohearts: hee too funny wrong heir!?! bite your tongue!! It seems Pa is the right heir for the right time! Just because Pa doesn't live his life at the speed that the general globe thinks it should be lived; doesn't mean he isn't doing things right haa!

:candycane:PA meets an incredibly huge amount of people everyday when it occurs more than likely he will make it happen!:heartflower:
 
:twohearts: hee too funny wrong heir!?! bite your tongue!! It seems Pa is the right heir for the right time! Just because Pa doesn't live his life at the speed that the general globe thinks it should be lived; doesn't mean he isn't doing things right haa!

:candycane:PA meets an incredibly huge amount of people everyday when it occurs more than likely he will make it happen!:heartflower:
EXACTLY my point, dear:flowers:
 
Okay, time to move on...and concentrate on the celebrations themselves again..
 
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