Monaco will observe one of its oldest and most deeply rooted traditions later this month with the celebrations of Sainte Dévote, the Patron Saint of the Principality, the Princely Family and the Diocese of Monaco. The ceremonies will take place on Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27, continuing a ritual that has shaped Monégasque identity for centuries and remains a cornerstone of the national calendar.
Far more than a religious observance, the Feast of Sainte Dévote is woven into Monaco’s cultural heritage. Over time, the tradition has left its mark on folklore, popular belief, history, literature and the arts, as well as in areas such as painting, music, numismatics and philately. Passed down through generations, it holds a singular place in the collective memory of the Principality.
The celebrations are rooted in the so-called Legend of Sainte Dévote, preserved in a medieval text. While the legend prioritises spiritual meaning over strict historical precision, it has remained consistently present throughout Monaco’s history. According to the account, Dévote was a young Christian from Corsica who was martyred around the years 303 or 304 under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Her body was secretly recovered by the faithful and placed in a boat, which eventually reached Monaco, where she was buried on January 27 in a small chapel near the port, in the valley once known as Les Gaumates.
In the 17th century, under Prince Honoré II, Sainte Dévote was officially proclaimed Patron Saint of Monaco. Another legend tells that, in the 11th century, her relics were stolen by sea before the culprits were intercepted and their boat burned. This episode inspired one of the most emblematic elements of the celebrations, which has been faithfully re-enacted each year since 1874.
On the evening of Monday, January 26, the relics of Sainte Dévote will be carried in procession from the Grand Prix chicane to the Church of Sainte-Dévote. After solemn vespers, the traditional burning of the boat will take place on Quai Albert Ier, performed by the Princely Family in the presence of Monégasque officials and the public. This symbolic moment, representing both protection and continuity, will be followed by a drone show over the port.
The following day, Tuesday, January 27, marks the Feast itself. A pontifical mass will be celebrated at Monaco Cathedral by a religious figure invited by the Archbishop of Monaco, in the presence of the Princely Family, the Princely Government, elected assemblies, constituted bodies and numerous faithful. After the service, a procession led by the Penitents of the Archconfraternity of Mercy will escort the reliquary through the city, guarded by the Prince’s Carabiniers.
The procession will pause at Palace Square, where a guard of honour and the Orchestra of the Prince’s Carabiniers will pay tribute. The Princely Family will then receive a blessing with the relics, followed by a blessing of Monaco and its population from the ramparts. The ceremonies conclude in front of the cathedral, where the sea and fishermen are blessed.
Through these annual rites, Monaco renews a bond that has endured for more than seventeen centuries. The Feast of Sainte Dévote remains both a living expression of faith and a powerful symbol of the Principality’s history, identity and continuity. Further information on the celebrations is available at www.saintedevotemonaco.com.
