Did you see the Botafumeiro?

[Deleted member 43985]

I saw a recent thread regarding the Botafumeiro in Santiago de Compostela and the times it is being swung. Some experienced Pilgrims shared that while there is a weekly evening occasion that it is seen regularly thanks to local Hoteliers but to see it during the noon Pilgrims Mass is a matter of luck or a matter of someone having paid (donated? Bestowed?) a fee of approximately 350-400 Euros to the Cathedral.

I've walked the Camino Frances twice and have seen the Botafumeiro swung both times and now wonder if I was indeed lucky or if someone had transferred the fee for which I benefitted. I also wonder if it is swung more often than we think so thought it would be interesting to get feedback with a poll about whether you saw the Botafumeiro when you went to the noon Mass.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I don't know how to answer your survey as I have seen the botafumeiro many times, but don't know if ot was for pilgrim mass or not. No idea what a pilgrim's mass is, unless it's when they read where people came from. But even then, couldn't tell you if one came with the other.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

I don't know how to answer your survey as I have seen the botafumeiro many times, but don't know if ot was for pilgrim mass or not. No idea what a pilgrim's mass is, unless it's when they read where people came from. But even then, couldn't tell you if one came with the other.

As I understand it, the daily noon Mass is referred to as the 'Pilgrims Mass'. I suppose it would be tough for Pilgrims who have walked numerous times to answer a simple yes or no but appreciate the feedback.

 

[tyrrek]

Yes - I've arrived in Santiago several times, so my answer would be 'more often than not'. However I usually arrive at busy times of year and spend at least a couple of days in SdC, so that increases my chances too!

 

[SabsP]

http://www.catedraldesantiago.es/en/node/482

All the dates.

 

[Dave2525]

I stayed in Santiago for about a week and did see it a few times. I only know of one time for sure that someone paid.

 

[Angie94]

Saw it on June 23rd. Beautiful.

 

[marian55]

No, we didn't see it.

 

[Theatregal]

No, we didn't see it.

I've seen it swung at the end of the pilgrim's mass on all four of my caminos ~ one in October and the other 3 in August.

 

[mcopeland]

We also saw it on the 23rd of this year. Thursday at noon, so I guess someone paid for it. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[marian55]

I've seen it swung at the end of the pilgrim's mass on all four of my caminos ~ one in October and the other 3 in August.

And?

 

[Theatregal]

And?

OOPS! Sorry marian55 - didn't mean this as a reply to your post. It was meant to be a reply to the OP.

 

[november_moon]

We did not attend mass, so we didn't see it swing

 

[The 5 McC's]

Yes July 2014. It was really amazing. We were in the cathedral and seated at 11 an hr before mass.

 

[Albertagirl]

I have seen the Botafumeiro swing two or three times when I was in Santiago, the last of which was at a Sunday noon mass, so I don't know whether that would be considered to be a Pilgrim Mass. On every occasion, I saw it mostly out of the corner of my eye as I was hotfooting it to the nearest exit. Incense makes me choke and I do not consider it to be particularly inspiring, so I avoid it when I can.

 

[Alan Pearce]

I spent the month of May this year in Santiago, and the Botafumeiro was swung most days after the midday Pilgrim mass. There are tour groups arriving every day, and lots of them are happy to pay some extra to see the iconic censor.

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[Myr]

We saw it the first time on June 18 at 6:30 p.m. Mass. The bishop was there and many priests ... Then again the next day at 10:30 Mass... It may be more often during this year of mercy

 

[DJwalKing]

I arrived in Santiago in mid-June and was there for a few days. (I was there at the same time as Myr) I went to the pilgrim's mass twice. The botafumiero was swung both times. I get the sense that what Alan Pearce said is accurate. I had the same thought. Tour planners who are bringing groups of pilgrims to Santiago probably tack on a few extra euros to the cost of the tour in order to pay for their people to have the memorable experience. I hope you get to experience it -- it really is special.

 

[Saint Mike II]

I too am amongst the lucky to have seen it swing on two occasions. On the first the priest announce that there had been a "donation", on the second I learned that a group of tourists (on a coach) had pooled their funds - 30 travellers - 10 or 20 Euros was sufficient donation. Apparently this form of "donation" is increasing - not sure if its the tour coaches or the Cathedral Admin who are doing the "encouraging". Either way the pilgrims are the beneficiaries.

BTW - can someone please explain/confirm - are there two different size Botafumeiro used on different occasions? (normal Fridays / Feast Days) The reason I ask is that in the movie The Way the botofumeiro appears to be considerably larger than the one I saw last Sept (2015), whilst the one I saw in June 2013 did appear to be the same size as the movie one. Cheers