Mass time in Santiago?

[WalkerByChoice]

Hi. My wife and I are going from Sarria to Santiago mid december.
We would like to know when it is best to arrive in Santiago for the Mass in the Cathedral. Is Mass everyday?
Thanks.

 

[kelleymac]

There is a pilgrims' mass every morning. -- But we arrived in the afternoon, and then attended mass the next day. There is also an mass in English at a side chapel. The botofumero swings on Fridays.

 

[WalkerByChoice]

Thanks. What time on fridays?

 

[SYates]

Yes everyday and several times ;-) For a full overview of mass times see http://www.catedraldesantiago.es/en/masses

Buen Camino, SY

 

[WalkerByChoice]

So the botofumero swings every friday at all masses?

 

[Texasguy]

So the botofumero swings every friday at all masses?

Not always, I was there last Friday, and they only had it in the afternoon. There was not botofumero on Saturday, there was on Sunday Peregrinos Mass.

Buen Camino,

Texas guy

 

[WalkerByChoice]

OK, thanks.

 

[FLEUR]

We saw the botufumero at the Friday 19.30 Mass on 30th September. We were advised to arrive at 18.00 and warned that doors might be closed at 19.00 if the cathedral was full. In December it may be less busy.

 

[SYates]

So the botofumero swings every friday at all masses?

No, only at the evening mass! Buen Camino, SY

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

We saw the botufumero at the Friday 19.30 Mass on 30th September. We were advised to arrive at 18.00 and warned that doors might be closed at 19.00 if the cathedral was full. In December it may be less busy.

In July last year I wanted to get to the cathedral an hour ahead of time while Peg wanted to get there at the time of the service. We went a half-hour early and there were no seats. Actually though I think we had a better show standing up. Peg said she never saw so many people in a church.

 

[billmclaughlin]

I found the evening Mass at 7:30 the better experience on October 12. It was a feast day so we had a bishop and the botafumeiro, but even without those details I preferred it to the midday crowd scene with streams of people prowling the aisles. In the evening every seat was taken and there were a handful of standees who found places and didn't roam. It was much easier to focus.

 

[NicMen]

Hi. My wife and I are going from Sarria to Santiago mid december.
We would like to know when it is best to arrive in Santiago for the Mass in the Cathedral. Is Mass everyday?
Thanks.

The Botafumeiro is always used at the 7:30 PM Friday mass plus some other special dates (Christmas, 25th July, etc.). In addition, it is used whenever there is a pilgrimage (I think they refer to pilgrimages organized by church groups...). I went to the Pilgrims mass at 12 noon last Sunday 9th October and they had it then, but not on the 7:30PM mass that same day...
And, yes, it may be not as crowded in December and they may not have it every day, so Friday 7:30 PM is your safest bet and it would be advisable to be early, just in case. It is a wonderful spectacle and very emotional as well...

 

[WalkerByChoice]

Thank you all for good answers.
We are leaving in a few days now.
Looking forward to the walk.