The Blessing of the Animals. 17th January.
It is a day for dogs, cats and any other animal or pet
throughout Spain as people flock to churches to have their animals blessed on
the day of San Antón, the Patron Saint of Animals.
"Lord, bless this animal that Saint Antonio may
protect it from all ailments," said Juan Villa, priest at the Church of
San Antón in Madrid as he sprinkled holy water on pets presented by their
owners.
Following a ritual sprinkling, the faithful parishioners are given lucky buns made
from a secret recipe which is supposed to keep them fresh for a year.
Each parishioner receives three buns, one of which is traditionally kept for a year alongside a coin to ensure work and health and to guarantee the blessing of the saint.
After their blessing, the animals do the "walk of the Saint," a procession through several streets in the Madrid district of Chueca.
The festival has been celebrated in Madrid since the 19th century with only a few breaks. It is also held in other parts of Spain such as in the Balearic Islands and Burgos.
Each parishioner receives three buns, one of which is traditionally kept for a year alongside a coin to ensure work and health and to guarantee the blessing of the saint.
After their blessing, the animals do the "walk of the Saint," a procession through several streets in the Madrid district of Chueca.
The festival has been celebrated in Madrid since the 19th century with only a few breaks. It is also held in other parts of Spain such as in the Balearic Islands and Burgos.
To celebrate his feast, the night before
and the day of the actual feast on January 17th, the Spanish build huge
bonfires or hogueras in the streets, especially in Andalucia,
Castilla-La Mancha, the Community of Valencia and Aragon.
In Cataluña and the
Balearic Islands, there are mounted processions in the streets.
In Ávila the Luminarias de San Bartolomé de Pinares,
riders force their horses into the flames in the belief that this will cleanse
the village of disease and ensure its prosperity in the year ahead.
Can the Spanish hold a festival without
food? !Claro que no! Of course not!
In towns like Trigueros (Huelva),
townspeople throw legs of ham, bread and money as the religious procession for
San Antonio makes its way through the streets and around the bonfires.
In the
area of Vega de Granada, in the province of Granada, the Olla de San
Antón is prepared. It is a super stew containing lots of
delicious, but high calorie ingredients, such as: beans, bacon, pig’s feet,
pigs ears and ribs, and morcilla sausage.
Olla de San Antón
LEGEND OF SAN
ANTONIO ABAD.
San Antonio Abad was an Egyptian by birth. His parents were of good family and wealthy. The life of this saint was written by St. Athanasius, his great friend. San Antonio Abad died on 17 January in the year 356.
It's called "Abbot" meaning "father" because he was the father or founder of the monasteries of monks.
As a child he was not taught to read or write, but knew a Christian education.
It is stated that San Antonio Abad lived to 105 years, and gave orders that his remains should rest upon his death in an unmarked grave. However, around the year 561 his relics were taken to Alexandria, where they were venerated until about the twelfth century. His legacy is only a robe made of lambskin.
The ancients had faith that he kept their fields free from pests and plagues that attack animals. For this he is painted with a pig, a dog and a rooster.
San Antonio Abad was an Egyptian by birth. His parents were of good family and wealthy. The life of this saint was written by St. Athanasius, his great friend. San Antonio Abad died on 17 January in the year 356.
It's called "Abbot" meaning "father" because he was the father or founder of the monasteries of monks.
As a child he was not taught to read or write, but knew a Christian education.
It is stated that San Antonio Abad lived to 105 years, and gave orders that his remains should rest upon his death in an unmarked grave. However, around the year 561 his relics were taken to Alexandria, where they were venerated until about the twelfth century. His legacy is only a robe made of lambskin.
The ancients had faith that he kept their fields free from pests and plagues that attack animals. For this he is painted with a pig, a dog and a rooster.
There was also
the custom of several farmers each year among all to fatten a pig on the day of
San Antonio, to be killed and distributed among the poor.
It is also said that on one occasion he was approached by a wild sow with piglets (who were blind), in supplication. Antonio cured the blindness of animals and since then the mother defended him from any vermin who came near him.
But with time came the idea that the pig was an unclean animal and to represent domination of the impurity a tamed pig was placed at his feet, showing him the winner of the impurity.
It is also said that on one occasion he was approached by a wild sow with piglets (who were blind), in supplication. Antonio cured the blindness of animals and since then the mother defended him from any vermin who came near him.
But with time came the idea that the pig was an unclean animal and to represent domination of the impurity a tamed pig was placed at his feet, showing him the winner of the impurity.
He was appointed Patron Saint of domestic
animals in the Middle Ages.
