Festivities of the second Sunday of September in Tournai

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On Saturday 07 September 2024

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Pontifical mass at 6:00 pm in Our Lady’s cathedral

A pontifical mass will be celebrated at 6:00 pm for the last time by His Excellency Guy Harpigny, bishop of Tournai, accompanied by the choir of the cathedral.

 

At the end of the service, the maior of Tournai will hand the keys of the city to the bishop.

This ceremony revives a tradition : in the Middle Ages, the town councillor, together with the deans of the craftsmen, escorted by the wardens, used to come to the cathedral to bring their offerings.

The group of the wardens and  the guilds will add brilliance to this colourful  and solemn ceremony.

 

On Sunday 08 September 2024

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Service at 8:30 am in Our Lady’s Cathedral

A pontifical mass will be celebrated at 8:30 am for the last time by His Excellency Guy Harpigny, bishop of Tournai, accompanied by the choir of the Cathedral.

 

The Great Procession at 10 o’clock

About 1000 people carry reliquaries and statues that are venerated in the churches of Tournai and around. They perpetuate a tradition dating back to 1092. Some exceptional pieces such as the relic shrines of the Cathedral, the shrine of Our Lady (1205) , the shrine of Saint Eleutherius (1243) and that of the squires (XVI a.d.) are part of the exhibited treasuries. Several musical groups will enliven the procession.

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If it rains, there will be a service inside the Cathedral at 10:30 am

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