Celebrations in Seville

May

• Cruces de May

  The celebrations of this name were formally celebrated within the sevillian “patios”. In this month it is typical to see the crosses of may that are found in the districts of Seville. In patios and small squares crosses made of colored paper are prepared and decorated with little lamps, flower pots, and they celebratefiestas and performances.

  Young children organize the Cruces de May imitating the brotherhoods with the traditional image of a cross where they make-believe they are adults, playing out the role of the image bearers, foremen, drummers, as they walk around the districts asking for contributions of money to carry on the tradition.

• The Rocío

  The date of Pentecost, sunday, varies because it depends on the date of Easter, so it could be in May or June.

  

  The Romería of the Rocío is a celebration of religious character dedicated to the Virgin del Rocío whose evolution has undergone many changes but its essential content continues being the same. This romeria is the most important event of the rociero year. It is the reunion of the people to celebrate withMaria, the Mother, the coming of the Holy Spirit.

  From Seville they divide the brotherhoods into five groups and travel on a pilgrimage to the village of Rocío, in Almonte, less than 75 km. By the A49 highway in the direction of Huelva.

  Seville also sees how the five brotherhoods organize their horse carts as they prepare for the journey to “el Rocío”.

  This has its origin in 1653 when our Lady of the Rocinas was appointed Patroness of the town of Almonte where they solemny celebrated mass and sermons.

  The Romeria begins saturday on the eve of Pentecost, and from 12 o’clock noon a presentation of the filial brotherhoods begins, about 98 brotherhoods in all, and in order of antiquity march pass the doors of the Sanctuary, where they are recieved by the first brotherhood. In this presentation each brotherhood is accompanied by romeros on foot, horseback, or horsecart, stopping in front of theSanctuary holding their banner upon which is written “Simpecado”, singing a song to the virgin, so ending the journey.

  The night is filled with Ave Marias and Hail mary’s, a litany amongst lights and ringing bells until dawn, the iron gates of the sanctuary are privileged witnesses of prayers, fulfilled pleas, hopes and promises, an action of thanks to Maria Santisima del Rocío.

  At dawn on monday the banner crosses the nave of the temple through the gathered devotees at an unexpected hour each year.

  The Virgin of Rocío pauses in front of the “Simpecado” banners of the brotherhoods as they each recite Hail Mary’s in a long procession.

  Towards two in the afternoon the Virgin of Rosario crosses before the doors of the Sanctuary with aclamation of the devotees and so ends the procession and romeria. That is when the brotherhoods begin their return journey.

• San Fernando
  The 30th of May is the celebration day of Saint Fernando, conqueror of the city. The incorrupt body of the King is displayed in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Kings in the Cathedral: a parade, mass and honor guard for the engineers.
  

June

• Corpus Christi

  It depends on when Sunday Pentecost arrives, because Corpus Christi is always celebrated 10 days later. It doesn’t have a fixed date and can be celebrated in May or June.

  

  It’s origin goes back to the middle ages, a time in which eucharistic hereses occured and in order to reduce this movement the Pope urban institutesin the year 1264 the celebration of the fiesta of the Body of Christ and in 1311 it is confirmed by Pope Clement V and introduces the obligation to carry the Sacred Form in a procession.

  The streets in the center of Seville, balconies, shop fronts, etc. are adorned, altars are placed in the streets where the Custodia procession must pass. Movement of people is seen from the early hours of the morning around the Cathedral where there are two rows of people on the streets and sidewalks waiting for the Santisimo, decorated with twigs and branches of rosemary.

  The “seises” that accompany tha Custodia dance before her, dressed in red with hats. This dance group which has its origin in the XVth century, was formally performed by 6 young children, although from the year 1613 the group was comprised of ten children. The bells of The Giralda peal and ring in different tones during the procession, composed of varied religious images, religious institutions, brotherhoods, civilians and the military.

• Corpus Chico (Little Corpus)

  The following sunday is celebrated with the Corpus Chico de Triana, which is less formal than theCorpus de la Magdalena.

  The Tears of San Pedro
  In the middle of the night of the 28th of june and at noon on the 29th buglers play to remind the people of the tears and negations of Saint Peter to Jesus Christ.