Saint Devota’s Day in Monaco
Saint Devota’s Day, celebrated on January 27, is both a public holiday and a defining religious tradition in Monaco. Its ceremonies recall the story of the saint’s arrival by boat and bring together the Church, the Princely Family, public institutions and residents.[1][3][4]
A public holiday under Monaco law
Monaco’s Law No. 798 lists Saint Devota’s Day among the Principality’s legal public holidays. The law provides a Monday substitute when certain named holidays fall on a Sunday, but Saint Devota’s Day is not among them; the statute therefore does not provide that Sunday observance moves to Monday.[1]
Under Law No. 800, legal holidays are generally non-working and paid for employees, whatever their pay arrangement. Exceptions apply to work that cannot stop because of its nature, and the labour inspector may authorize other derogations. The law sets employment rules; it does not specify opening hours for individual offices, banks or shops.[2]
The story behind the feast
Devota was a young Christian woman martyred in Corsica in the early fourth century, and her body was carried by boat, guided by a dove, to Monaco’s port. She is the Principality’s patron saint.[3][5]
The Grimaldi dynasty has observed the celebration since the sixteenth century. The feast is rooted in a local story of faith and protection, rather than being simply a general Christian feast day.[4]
Two days of ceremonies
The main observances take place on January 26 and 27. Monaco’s municipal account describes a Monegasque-language Mass of Traditions at Sainte-Dévote Church, followed by a port procession and a service at the church. A symbolic boat is then burned in memory of the saint. The Prince’s Palace records that the boat-burning tradition dates to 1924, during the reign of Prince Louis II.[4][5]
On January 27, the municipal account describes a pontifical Mass at Monaco Cathedral followed by a solemn procession with the saint’s relics on the Rock. A 2017 Palace account also records the relics being presented to the Princely Family at the Palace after the cathedral ceremony.[4][5]
Planning around the holiday
The legal status means most employees are entitled to a paid non-working day, subject to the exceptions in the law. Check directly with the place or service you plan to use.[1][2]
The ceremonies use the area around Sainte-Dévote Church, the port and Monaco-Ville. Visitors who want to attend can use the municipal and Palace accounts to understand the religious programme and procession locations; event arrangements may vary from year to year.[4][5]
Frequently asked questions
When is Saint Devota’s Day?
Is it a public holiday and a day off?
Does the holiday move to Monday if January 27 is a Sunday?
Law No. 798 names several holidays that move to Monday when they fall on Sunday, but does not include Saint Devota’s Day in that list.[1]
What are the main ceremonies?
Sources and references
Sources used for Saint Devota's Day in Monaco:
- Loi n° 798 du 18 février 1966 portant fixation des jours fériés légaux- Légimonaco, Principality of Monaco
- Loi n° 800 du 18 février 1966 régissant la rémunération et les conditions de travail relatives aux jours fériés légaux- Légimonaco, Principality of Monaco
- Présentation- Diocese of Monaco
- Festivités de la Sainte Dévote- Prince’s Palace of Monaco
- La Sainte-Dévote, Sainte Patronne de Monaco- Monaco City Hall