janeos

Planning a visit to Barcelona to see the Sagrada Familia again now that it's a functioning basilica. I will be there All Saints Day Nov 1 and the Sunday Nov 3 two days later. Would especially love to go to solemn masses with choral singing.
While I'm at it, how do I find out if any castellers will be having competitions that weekend?
Thanks janeos

Alec

MASS AT THE PARISH CHURCH OF THE SAGRADA FAMÍLIA

Entrance in Carrer Sardenya.

CATALAN

WEEKDAYS
20:15

SATURDAYS
19:30

SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS OF OBLIGATION
10:30, 13:00, 18.30


SPANISH

WEEKDAYS
9:00

SATURDAYS
9:00

SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS OF OBLIGATION
9:00, 11:45, 20:15

janeos

Thanks, a good start. Are these masses held in the basilica itself or in the church used during the construction?
And I am interested in "HIgh Mass" that is, the most ceremonial one, with music.
Any further info available?

flanneruk

The details Alec has given are for the parish church. There are very few services, ever, in the basilica. It's not as if it's a proper church: the basilica's too full of loud, fee-paying, tourists to allow Mass to be squeezed in for more than the odd hour every month or so.

I saw no evidence of any real interest in liturgy or choral singing at Sagrada Familia a year or so ago: signs for Masses mentioned only what language they were in. Barcelona Cathedral, however, has a proper choir which sings at the 1030 every Sunday, and at 10 on local Holydays as well as an active programme of visiting choirs. The monthly music list is at http://www.catedralbcn.org/images/fullmensual.pdf

Remember that Holydays now vary by province. I honestly don't know whether the solemnity of All Saints (or at any rate its liturgical celebration) is on Nov 1 in Spain, or whether it's been switched to the nearest Sunday.

janeos

Thanks, very helpful though disappointing. The basilica was consecrated by the pope (forgot which one) with great ceremony to make it an official church so I thought there would be Sunday and Holy Day masses there. Guess I'll do the tourist visit there and attend the cathedral for ceremony. janos

Alec

As far as I know (haven't been there since consecration), the regular Masses are celebrated in the crypt, to which everyone has free access. Very occasionally (about once a month), they have special Masses in the basilica itself. It should be announced on the official site. I think the last one was a special Mass celebrated by the Cardinal Archbishop, Lluís Martínez Sistach, towards the end of last year, to which people had to get special (free) tickets from the diocese.
There are some pictures taken at special Masses in the basilica itself:
http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng...a.php?any=2012

Alec

The last Mass in the Basilica was only on 9th June. celebrated by the Cardinal Archbishop for the diocesan common fund contributors.