The Principality of Monaco is set to honour its Patron Saint, Saint Devota, with two days of celebrations on Sunday, January 26, and Monday, January 27. These festivities, deeply rooted in Monaco’s history and culture, remain a cornerstone of the nation’s spiritual and cultural identity.
The tradition of Saint Devota, dating back centuries, is interwoven with religion, folklore, and the arts, and stems from a medieval narrative known as the Legend of Saint Devota. According to this account, Devota, a young Christian martyr from Corsica, was executed around 303 or 304 under the reign of Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Her body was secretly taken by the faithful and placed on a boat that carried her to Monaco, where she was buried in a chapel in the Gaumates Valley near the port on January 27 of the same year.
Elevated to Patron Saint status under Prince Honoré II in the 17th century, Saint Devota has since been celebrated annually with a symbolic ceremony. This includes the burning of a boat on a pyre—a reenactment of a later legend in which criminals attempting to steal the saint’s relics were caught and their boat set aflame.
This year’s celebrations begin on Sunday, January 26, with a traditional Mass in Monegasque at the Sainte-Dévote Church at 10:30. The evening events include a procession of the relics at 18:00, Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament at 19:00, and the burning of the ceremonial boat at Quai Albert Ier, witnessed by the Princely Family. The night will conclude with a dazzling drone show over the port.
On Monday, January 27, a pontifical Mass will be held at Monaco Cathedral at 10:00, celebrated by Archbishop Paul-Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Vatican. Following the service, the relics will be carried in a solemn procession through the streets of Monaco. This includes stops at the Prince’s Palace, where the Princely Family and Monegasque officials will receive blessings, and along the ramparts, where a celebrant will bless the population of Monaco.
The day will culminate with a candlelight spiritual concert at 18:30 in the Monaco Cathedral. The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Diego Ceretta, will perform sacred works by Mozart, including selections from his Mass in C minor, the Ave Verum Corpus, and the Clarinet Concerto. Renowned soloists, including soprano Emőke Baráth and clarinettist Pierre Génisson, will bring these timeless pieces to life.
For more details on the program, visit saintedevotemonaco.com.
With its blend of tradition, spirituality, and artistry, the Saint Devota celebrations continue to hold a cherished place in the hearts of the Monegasque people, embodying the enduring legacy of their patron saint.
