Notice how the Madonna and Child are completely encased minus the globe in her hand - its for those leaving a special prayer or wish!
| As the patron saint of England, St. George is also the patron saint for Catalonia, the north-eastern region of Spain. Montserrat, the “jagged mountain” that is fabled to be the great dragon that St. George slew, is located near the city of Barcelona and is home to one to one of the most venerated holy places in the country, Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine Abbey and basilica. Inside the sanctuary of the basilica, raised above and behind the alter, you’ll ascend to find the Virgin of Montserrat, patroness of Catalonia and one of the Black Madonnas of Europe. To make a wish at the foot of the statue while touching the globe in her hand is considered extra holy (wait time: about 35 minutes in line). |
The Escolania, Montserrat Boy’s Choir, is one of the oldest in Europe and they sing everyday at 1pm in the basilica. Between the ages of 9 and 14, their voices are that of angels with their sound resonating over the hushed 2,000+ audience breathlessly listening.
Visit Video and Music Clips for videos of the Escolania and the Gallery for pictures of Montserrat, the Abbey and Basilica. You can easily locate the videos and pictures under the "Spain" category.
As for traditions on St. George’s Day in Catalonia, this holiday is celebrated like our St. Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers. In tradition, a male will present roses to his lover and the lady then reciprocates with a book. Recently, the exchange of gifts is done by either partner. Why a book? Authors Cervantes and William Shakespeare are rumored to have both died on the 23rd of April (some say Cervantes died two weeks earlier than Shakespeare but the specificity of calendars between England and Spain is unknown).
Visit Video and Music Clips for videos of the Escolania and the Gallery for pictures of Montserrat, the Abbey and Basilica. You can easily locate the videos and pictures under the "Spain" category.
As for traditions on St. George’s Day in Catalonia, this holiday is celebrated like our St. Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers. In tradition, a male will present roses to his lover and the lady then reciprocates with a book. Recently, the exchange of gifts is done by either partner. Why a book? Authors Cervantes and William Shakespeare are rumored to have both died on the 23rd of April (some say Cervantes died two weeks earlier than Shakespeare but the specificity of calendars between England and Spain is unknown).
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