And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
That's the swinging of the 'botafumeiro" at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
It lies at the end of all routes of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). The swinging of it is quite the sight. Often times emotional if you have walked 500-600 miles to get there.
The traditional reason given for it's presence was to establish a bit of "perfume" between the altar and the pilgrims back in the late Middle Ages when pilgrims would show up in throngs. These 'peregrinos' were generally malodorous but that could be expected back then. (It is not exactly unusual today!)
Another explanation was that it would use a mix of herbs along with the incense to help with public health during times of plague.
There used to be several of these around Galicia and N. Portugal but I think that Santiago's and the Cathedral at Tui have the last two. I am not sure that Tui's sees much action anymore.
I'm sure God is impressed with all that showmanship.
ReplyDeleteEven the Pope was giving that thing the side eye.
DeleteI ain't Catholic, but I was wondering if that rope broke during a swing and if a resulting fire or injuries occurred?
ReplyDeleteDon't worry man, they change the rope every 240 years.
DeleteI was hoping the incense thingy would break lose and land smack on the current Commie Il Papa's skull.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have had to travel through time and space. That looks like Benedict, nor Francis.
DeleteThanks, not being Catholic they all look alike. You know like blacks all look alike to Hillary Clinton.
DeleteChurches, way to dangerous for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm picturing God scratching his head while giving a WTF look!
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who thinks the priest looks like Hannibal Lecter?
ReplyDeleteThat's the swinging of the 'botafumeiro" at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
ReplyDeleteIt lies at the end of all routes of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). The swinging of it is quite the sight. Often times emotional if you have walked 500-600 miles to get there.
Anon again...
ReplyDeleteHad to handle a call so cut the last msg short.
The traditional reason given for it's presence was to establish a bit of "perfume" between the altar and the pilgrims back in the late Middle Ages when pilgrims would show up in throngs. These 'peregrinos' were generally malodorous but that could be expected back then. (It is not exactly unusual today!)
Another explanation was that it would use a mix of herbs along with the incense to help with public health during times of plague.
There used to be several of these around Galicia and N. Portugal but I think that Santiago's and the Cathedral at Tui have the last two. I am not sure that Tui's sees much action anymore.