Religious events
Experience the Devotion and Excitement of A Barca! Tradition is not only the origin, but the soul of this festival, inviting you to connect with centuries of history and faith in an incomparable environment.
The essence of our festivities begins long before the big weekend, with the “Virgen de la Barca” Novena. From Thursday of the previous week until the Friday of the Festival, the sanctuary is filled with prayers that invoke the Saint. Every day is an opportunity to relive the fascinating legend of the apparition of Our Lady to the Apostle James and learn about the miracles attributed to her. This recollection is enriched by the presence of different parish priests who preside and preach every evening. And as a finishing touch, the Novena culminates with the emotional singing of the hymn of A Barca, a piece that the Muxía poet Gonzalo López Abente dedicated to our venerated Virgin.
The year 2024 marked a milestone with important developments that united faith with technology. The streaming of the Masses allowed the devotion to reach every corner of the world. In addition, we unveiled a new altar, a modern lectern and a replica of Our Lady of A Barca created with 3D technology, blessed by the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela in a solemn ceremony. We also brought back the exciting Night Torchlight Procession on the Saturday before the big weekend. Hundreds of people accompanied the image of the Virgin on its illuminated tour, a magical experience that connected the sanctuary with the heart of Muxía.
After the Novena comes the climax of the celebration. The solemn masses on Saturday, Sunday and Monday follow the tradition described as early as 1864, filling the air with fervour. The Polyphonic Choir of Muxía, born to honour these acts, is the voice of the solemn Mass of the Sunday of A Barca, now known as Misa Campestre and celebrated in the open air to welcome thousands of faithful.
The processions on Sunday and Monday are high points. On Sunday, the image of the Saint is taken in a crowded ceremony to the parish church, making a special stop at the pier for the blessing of the faithful. The Virgin remains in the church until Monday, a day especially dedicated to the residents of the municipality, when she is transferred again in procession to her Sanctuary. Surrounding the Sanctuary, you will find the traditional stalls selling donuts, churros and religious items such as votive offerings and candles, which are open from the beginning of the Novena until the closing Monday.
