Help with setting up/paying for Botafumeiro at mass

[Denise63]

Hello, I am going to be arriving in Santiago on 8/9 and would like to attend a Mass. I have done research and realize to guarantee the Botofumeiro will be used at the mass a fee has to be paid. In researching the only webpage I can find is in Spanish. I was wondering if there was a local service that speaks English that I can arrange to have the Botofumeiro used at the English mass on 8/10/24 if possible. If English is not possible, that is fine, the date is most important. I would GREATLY appreciate any help from someone that speak/reads Spanish. Thank you in advance…your help would be so kind.

 

[Robo]

I think you may find the English Mass takes place in a side chapel. (no Botofumeiro)

If you open this page using Chrome, it will translate.
I think I saw somewhere the fee was 300 Euros.

"The Botafumeiro can also operate for pilgrimages that have duly requested it from the Cathedral. To reserve the Botafumeiro write an email to": botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es.
BOTAFUMEIRO INFO.

Masses, Confessions, Botafumeiro | Catedral de Santiago

Liturgy information in St James Cathedral: Archbishop, Chapter, Masses, Confessions, the Botafumeiro.

catedraldesantiago.es

 

[Denise63]

I think you may find the English Mass takes place in a side chapel. (no Botofumeiro)

If you open this page using Chrome, it will translate.
I think I saw somewhere the fee was 300 Euros.

"The Botafumeiro can also operate for pilgrimages that have duly requested it from the Cathedral. To reserve the Botafumeiro write an email to": botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es.
BOTAFUMEIRO INFO.

Masses, Confessions, Botafumeiro | Catedral de Santiago

Liturgy information in St James Cathedral: Archbishop, Chapter, Masses, Confessions, the Botafumeiro.

catedraldesantiago.es

Thank you, I am SUPER tech illiterate and don’t have chrome, or know how to use it. I will ask my kids if they can help me. But I will email to the address you provided me. The Botofumeiro is most important, so will do a Spanish Mass. And again THANK YOU

 

[Denise63]

I think you may find the English Mass takes place in a side chapel. (no Botofumeiro)

If you open this page using Chrome, it will translate.
I think I saw somewhere the fee was 300 Euros.

"The Botafumeiro can also operate for pilgrimages that have duly requested it from the Cathedral. To reserve the Botafumeiro write an email to": botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es.
BOTAFUMEIRO INFO.

Masses, Confessions, Botafumeiro | Catedral de Santiago

Liturgy information in St James Cathedral: Archbishop, Chapter, Masses, Confessions, the Botafumeiro.

catedraldesantiago.es

Thank you!! I jest sent an email requesting the information. AND Thank You

 

[Robo]

Thank you!! I jest sent an email requesting the information. AND Thank You

Seeing the Botofumeiro swing is a bit of Pot luck.
Though there are specific days (see website) when it will be used.

I have seen it many times, but understand on a first Camino, there can be a strong desire to see it.

On non 'planned' days, I understand it is only used when a fee is paid.
(basically to pay the team that swings it I think)

Who pays? It can be tour groups, individuals........

 

[David with new Kit!]

One small point to help if you decide to book it, and to ensure you turn up on the right day, is that in Europe we normally use dd/mm/yy format and not mm/dd/yy

I hope that you achieve your goals

 

[NancyZ]

I think you may find the English Mass takes place in a side chapel. (no Botofumeiro)

If you open this page using Chrome, it will translate.
I think I saw somewhere the fee was 300 Euros.

The price has gone up to €500 per swing.

 

[t2andreo]

I think you may find the English Mass takes place in a side chapel. (no Botofumeiro)

If you open this page using Chrome, it will translate.
I think I saw somewhere the fee was 300 Euros.

"The Botafumeiro can also operate for pilgrimages that have duly requested it from the Cathedral. To reserve the Botafumeiro write an email to": botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es.
BOTAFUMEIRO INFO.

Masses, Confessions, Botafumeiro | Catedral de Santiago

Liturgy information in St James Cathedral: Archbishop, Chapter, Masses, Confessions, the Botafumeiro.

catedraldesantiago.es

This is the correct information. As of July 2022, the last time I worked as a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office, the fee was €450.

But, you can write to that e-mail address, and make your specific request. Someone will get back to you. If the date and Mass you ask for is not already subscribed to by someone else, they will convey instructions for payment.

FYI - Individuals and groups who do this - pay for the botafumeiro to be used - are provided preferred seating up front, in one of the side apses. Otherwise, it might be difficult to get in, or to obtain a seat with a clear view of the Botafumeiro.

The Botafumeiro only swings for free on Catholic Holy days and major solemnities. There is a calendar of these days on the Cathedral's website. Check here: https://catedraldesantiago.es/en/liturgy/#botafumeiro

At all other times, groups or individuals must pay for the Botafumeiro to be used. NOTE: The Cathedral is not making a profit from this. The eight men who pull the ropes - Tiraboleiros - are paid for each ceremony. Hundreds of years ago, there were seminarians or other religious workers who would perform this service for free.

Hope this helps,

Tom

 

[Siegfried]

Hello, I am going to be arriving in Santiago on 8/9 and would like to attend an English Mass. I have done research and realize there are English mass, and to guarantee the Botofumeiro will be used at the mass a fee has to be paid. In researching the only webpage I can find is in Spanish. I was wondering if there was a local service that speaks English that I can arrange to have the Botofumeiro used at the English mass on 8/10/24 if possible. If English is not possible, that is fine, the date is most important. I would GREATLY appreciate any help from someone that speak/reads Spanish. Thank you in advance…your help would be so kind.

I have been in Santiago three times so far.
There was alway the Botofumerio in Action.
I suggest not to care about "rewards" just let it happen
Buen Camino

 

[KJFSophie]

I've just returned from Santiago yesterday ( July 18, 2024) from volunteering at the Pilgrim's Office with the Camino Companions as English Speaking support. The only mass in English is at the Chapel of the Pilgrim's Office ( where you pick up your Compostela ) at 10:30am each morning except Wednesdays. The French mass is at 9:00am in the same location. I made the announcements in English before each mass at the Cathedral and welcomed visitors to share their experiences over tea and coffee in Room 6 upstairs in the Pilgrim's office everyday.
During my two and a half weeks of volunteering there were a few days without the botofumerio, but there were many many school/church youth groups who arrive in Santiago during my stay and they had 'sponsored' the botofumerio ( likely their monetary contribution was included with their Camino experience fees )
On a few other occasions there were numerous reserved seats/ sections for special a masswith 'military personnel' dressed in uniform , and an ordination at a private mass. Both left the Cathedral filled with the smoke and scent of the incense.

 

[Denise63]

I've just returned from Santiago yesterday ( July 18, 2024) from volunteering at the Pilgrim's Office with the Camino Companions as English Speaking support. The only mass in English is at the Chapel of the Pilgrim's Office ( where you pick up your Compostela ) at 10:30am each morning except Wednesdays. The French mass is at 9:00am in the same location. I made the announcements in English before each mass at the Cathedral and welcomed visitors to share their experiences over tea and coffee in Room 6 upstairs in the Pilgrim's office everyday.
During my two and a half weeks of volunteering there were a few days without the botofumerio, but there were many many school/church youth groups who arrive in Santiago during my stay and they had 'sponsored' the botofumerio ( likely their monetary contribution was included with their Camino experience fees )
On a few other occasions there were numerous reserved seats/ sections for special a masswith 'military personnel' dressed in uniform , and an ordination at a private mass. Both left the Cathedral filled with the smoke and scent of the incense.

This is the correct information. As of July 2022, the last time I worked as a volunteer at the Pilgrim Office, the fee was €450.

But, you can write to that e-mail address, and make your specific request. Someone will get back to you. If the date and Mass you ask for is not already subscribed to by someone else, they will convey instructions for payment.

FYI - Individuals and groups who do this - pay for the botafumeiro to be used - are provided preferred seating up front, in one of the side apses. Otherwise, it might be difficult to get in, or to obtain a seat with a clear view of the Botafumeiro.

The Botafumeiro only swings for free on Catholic Holy days and major solemnities. There is a calendar of these days on the Cathedral's website. Check here: https://catedraldesantiago.es/en/liturgy/#botafumeiro

At all other times, groups or individuals must pay for the Botafumeiro to be used. NOTE: The Cathedral is not making a profit from this. The eight men who pull the ropes - Tiraboleiros - are paid for each ceremony. Hundreds of years ago, there were seminarians or other religious workers who would perform this service for free.

I had the honor of being asked to be a tiraboleiro for one Mass in 2022, when they found themselves shorthanded. I was working at the Pilgrim Office at the time and am very well known to everyone there. So, the request was an easy one. Having sat under the swinging Botafumeiro many times over the years, both in front of the altar rail and within the altar rail, actually being part of the ceremony was a HUGE honor and privilege.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Tom, Thank you for all your info. I have emailed botafumeiro@catedraldesantiago.es asking how to I sponsor/pay for the Botafumeiro to be used on Saturday the 10th of August, 2024 - as I want to sponsor. This is my first Camino and want to experience all of the beauty of the spiritual side. I totally understand and support the requirement to cover the cost. I would gladly make a donation as I feel honored to experience such a tradition. I HOPE to hear back from them prior to leaving to start my Camino. And thank you for all your help.