Madrid as Text, Madrid video photo slide

Corpus Christi, a central celebration for Spanish Catholics

A look into the process and celebration of the Corpus Christi holiday.

In Madrid , Spain, Corpus Christi is one of the most anticipated holidays in Christianity. The festival of Corpus Christi, Latin for Body of Christ, is celebrated by Roman Catholics and other Christians to proclaim the truth of the Eucharist, the conversion of bread and wine into the actual body of Christ.

            Madrid holds a mass outside the Cathedral of Almudena, followed by a procession carrying a consecrated wafer through the streets of the city as a public statement that Christ was sacrificed for the world. Madrid observes the festival as a religious holiday, and the procession is usually led by the King or Queen of Spain, to signify the unity of sacred and secular powers. This year, however, due to the recent coronation of King Felipe VI, no arrangements were made for him to join the procession. The festival is usually celebrated on the Thursday following Pentecost, but was postponed to the following Sunday due Felipe’s coronation.

One Madrileño’s memories of the Spanish Civil War: Adapting to stay alive

By Natalie Allen MADRID – Carlos Iradier, 88, was only 17 when the Spanish civil war began, but instead of fighting, Iradier volunteered to fix telephone cables around Spain. Even at a young age, Iradier had been able to adapt to difficult situations in order for him to keep living his life in peace, according… Continue reading One Madrileño’s memories of the Spanish Civil War: Adapting to stay alive

The history of Sobrino de Botín

MADRID – Before Sobrino de Botín was a restaurant, it was a single-story home and cellar, believed to have been around since the 16th century. It was not until the 18th century that the French cook, Jean Botín, and his wife bought the home with plans on making it an inn. The original home was… Continue reading The history of Sobrino de Botín

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