On my last day in Santiago I attended the Pilgrim’s Mass. The church was crowded, and the priest greeted us in several different languages. A nun led us in worship with her crystal-clear voice, accompanied by a booming organ. Many actually sang!
After the blessing, about 5 men grabbed this 50 kilo censer (times 2.2 = 110 pounds) called the Botafumeiro and lit the incense. It is a huge, silver-plated incense burner, and it started smoking immediately. It is used each day during this one particular mass, and the crowds come out to see it. It was once used to make more bearable the strong BO (body odor) of pilgrims coming into the cathedral after a long walk!! I guess this church does NOT have a “perfume-free” section!
Anyway, these men grabbed the 3-foot high censer, and using a 35 meter long rope (about 100 feet), they tugged and pulled and caused it to swing back and forth through the transept (the cross-part of the cross-shaped church). As the nun sings, the censer goes higher and higher. Amazing. It has twice overshot and ended up outside the church. If anyone got in the way, it would take off their head. I am sure that is part of the buzz of excitement in the air!
Check it out!
Hi Bruce! How are you? I hope you had a good journey back to the States. We arrived at home on October 1st and our wives were already waiting for us at the station in Fehring.
I’d like to send you some photos about my home but I don’t know your email address. Please let me know how you are doing and send your email adress to mine : f.gerger@aon.at.
Best wishes to you and your family
Hans from Austria