The Pardon

The Pardon was the expression of popular devotion to a particular Saint, from whom grace or a pardon was requested. These are the modest chapel fetes or processions that flourished in Brittany in the late Middle Ages. Most were rooted in ancient rituals, uniting the sacred and the profane!

There are so many Pardons in Brittany that they have become specialised.

This patron’s fete, celebrating local saints each year saw the gathering together of the faithful in one or more parishes. The solemn mass was followed by a procession with banners, relics, statues and magnificent crosses worked in precious metal to the sound of Breton songs and canticles. The ceremony terminated with a secular fête, involving dancing, music and traditional games.

The Pardon of Sainte Anne d’Auray is one of the most popular in Brittany. The ceremony of the Pardons of the Sea was a little different, since once the procession arrived at the port, the clergy, children and reliquaries went on board a boat. The Priest then blessed all the vessels in the port, as during the Pardon Ceremony of Saint-Jacques at Locquirec (Finistère), or the Benediction of the Courreaux at Groix (Morbihan).

A few dates for 2007

19 & 20 May Pardon de Saint-yves – Tréguier (22)

24th June Pardon de Sainte-Barbe – Le Faouët (56)

15th July Grande Troménie – Locronan (29)

25 & 26th July Pardon de Sainte-Anne – Ste Anne d'Auray (56)

15th August Pardon de Notre Dame de la Clarté – Perros-Guirec (22)

Notre Dame de la Joie – Penmarc'h (29)

Pardon de la madone des motards – Porcaro (56)

Notre Dame de la Tronchaye – Rochefort en terre (56)

26th August Sainte Anne le Palud – Plonévez-Porzay (29)

7 & 9th Sept. Notre Dame du Roncier – Josselin (56)

"Pardons"... a tradition in Brittany

Partager cet article