I would like to know the starting time of the Botafumeiro on Christmas Day

[Qifan]

I am planning to visit the Cathedral of Santiago on Christmas Day 2025. I have read that the Botafumeiro ceremony will take place that day, but I am unsure which Mass will include it. I am worried about missing this special moment. Could someone please tell me the exact timing?

 

[MinaKamina]

Christmas 2024:

>Wednesday 25 December: NATIVITY OF THE LORD

11:40 h. Solemn procession, shawms and Botafumeiro. Afterwards, Seasonal Mass. Presided over by His Excellency the Archbishop, Don Francisco Prieto. Musical Chapel.

2025 will probably be the same, but nobody knows for sure, so keep an eye on the news from the Cathedral.
If you are willing to pay, you can order your own Botafumeiro ritual.

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

In July of 2022, I attended Mass three times in order to see it swing. Santiago is a wonderful place to just sit and be and that includes the cathedral. I arrived early for one Mass and sat in a pew journaling and people watching.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes, arrive very early and don't bring your backpack (not allowed inside). Awe inspiring. Buen Camino

 

[t2andreo]

The Botafumeiro ceremony is always at the end of the Mass, after the priest's final blessing. In the beginning, many years ago, the ceremony was appropriately placed at the front-end of the sacrifice of the Mass. But, control was promptly lost as too many folks were, evidently, not there for the main reason of the Mass - the Mass - but to see the Botafumeiro.

So, at some point, the Archbishop decided to move the ceremony to the conclusion of the Mass. This allowed those whose primary purpose for being there to depart, while others remained to observe and film the Botafumeiro ceremony.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[SabsP]

Yes, arrive very early and don't bring your backpack (not allowed inside). Awe inspiring. Buen Camino

I felt so lucky that in 2011 backpacks were still allowed in the cathedral. It meant so much to me I could walk in directly. Pure joy.

 

[Keyser]

On three separate visits since 2014 I have been lucky enough to be in the cathedral to experience the Botafumeiro. The mass on each occasion was very special (even though I’m a passed Catholic and don’t speak Spanish) and deeply felt. However, not being flippant, the Botafumeiro was pure rock and roll!!

 

[Keyser]

Lapsed!

 

[SYates]

The Botafumeiro ceremony is always at the end of the Mass, after the priest's final blessing. In the beginning, many years ago, the ceremony was appropriately placed at the front-end of the sacrifice of the Mass. But, control was promptly lost as too many folks were, evidently, not there for the main reason of the Mass - the Mass - but to see the Botafumeiro.

So, at some point, the Archbishop decided to move the ceremony to the conclusion of the Mass. This allowed those whose primary purpose for being there to depart, while others remained to observe and film the Botafumeiro ceremony.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Unless this has changed pretty recently, the rule is still that on certain holidays, like Christmas, the botafumeiro is used at the beginning of the mass as it is part of the mass liturgy. It is however used at the end of the mass when somebody/a group paid for it as it is then not part of the liturgy.
BC SY

 

[Vacajoe]

Realize that on Christmas Day, Mass will be enormously popular and difficult to attend due to the crowds. If your hope is simply to witness the Botafumeiro, you are likely to have a much better view and easier time finding a seat at other Masses while you are in Santiago. Fair warning: it might not be in use at those Masses, but at least you’ll get into the Cathedral!

 

[t2andreo]

Unless this has changed pretty recently, the rule is still that on certain holidays, like Christmas, the botafumeiro is used at the beginning of the mass as it is part of the mass liturgy. It is however used at the end of the mass when somebody/a group paid for it as it is then not part of the liturgy.
BC SY

Great assist. Thank you!