<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=3 PTSIZE=12 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium" LANG="0">Hello you all,<BR>
Owing to the multitudes expected at the Cathedral of Santiago next year, those in charge of the smooth running of things have decided to make some changes regarding the Botafumeiro.<BR>
Because of the profusion of Masses in the morning and noon (at 12:00 and 1:30 p.m.) it has been decided that the Botafumeiro, that adds twenty minutes to a Mass, will be brought out after the 5:00 p.m. Mass since the next Mass is two and a half hours later, at 7:30 p.m.<BR>
The Botafumeiro will also be brought out for special groups of pilgrims that may request it.<BR>
There will still be a pilgrims' Mass at noon, but Botafumeiro-less.<BR>
Personally, I never understood the timing of the Pilgrims' Mass which put a great deal of pressure on those pilgrims 15 or 20 kilometers from Santiago, but the schedulers must have had their reasons.<BR>
I'll be leaving in a few hours, but will keep in e-touch.<BR>
As you know, Christmas means "Mass of Christ". In Spanish it is called Feliz Navidad (Happy Nativity-of Christ), Feliz Noche Buena (Happy "Good" Night), and Feliz Noche de Gallo (Happy Night of the Rooster, so called because it is believed to be the only night when roosters crow at midnight, the time of Christ's birth) and all over the world, in hundreds of languages, the festive ocassion has countless names. <BR>
For myself, I wish you all a very Happy and Merry Christmas, from the bottom of my heart..<BR>
Affectionately,<BR>
Rosina <BR>
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