Today Sunday we held a very special celebration. The commemoration of the 150 years of the chapel of Sant Sebastià (Saint Sebastian). I will ask your permission to reproduce my words on that occasion:
"Residents of Sitges, gathered this afternoon at the esplanade of the Chapel of Sant Sebastià.
Today we commemorate the blessing of the Chapel of Sant Sebastià in 1861. With two years of delay due to necessary refurbishment works carried out on the chapel, we are celebrating today the 150th Anniversary of one of the extraordinary events that happened in our town because of such blessing.
The day after the Town Festival of Sant Bartomeu, August 25, popular dances and their music accompanied the tabernacle with the image of Sant Sebastià around all around village streets, from the Parish Church to the new Chapel, as we did this afternoon in January. During the Festival Cycle in Sitges, the exit of dances and music has always been a symbol and sign if a big festival, and even more if due to extraordinary reasons. And such was the case on that memorable occasion of 1861.
Let's envisage Sitges during the mid-nineteenth century. A small walled town still without roads or railways, surrounded by Malvasia and Muscat vineyards, with their good folk living a humble existence toiling the land and the sea, spending a vast number of hours on such tasks. People that were so devoted to work that waited eagerly all festivities to gather and share, especially among those assisting to the festivities held in our chapels: Sant Sebastià (Saint Sebastian), la Mare de Déu de Gràcia (Our Lady of Grace), la Trinitat (the Trinity), el Vinyet and Santa Bàrbara. Let's imagine the stir that provoked such an important Festivity back in 1861.
The fact is that, since ancient times, people throughout Europe invoked Saint Sebastià as a protector against plague and other epidemics during the Middle and Modern ages. So the chapels were erected under his invocation at the entrance of towns and cities, to protect the people from evil and not allow the entry of disease into streets and squares. Sitges was not untouched by such matters, and that's why the town raised the Chapel of Sant Sebastià at the outskirts of town, close to the portal that gave entrance to the walled enclosure of Port de n'Alegre since at least 1513. That is, for more than 500 years.
This celebration is also an opportunity to discover or rediscover heritage and tradition, a tradition that is increasing in value during recent years, in order to know more about our history. Sant Sebastià is the chapel that lends its name to one of the most iconic and beloved enclaves in our town.
In ancient times many diseases provoked havoc in our land. The advance of science and research has allowed us to fight them, though not enough in some specific cases. Humanity is still weak against cancer, AIDS or rare diseases ... zealously looks for remedies for all such plagues. But humanity still suffers plagues that scourge the lack of equality, opportunity and social inclusion: unemployment, evictions, intolerance, gender violence, abuse of power, including torture. Those are the current plagues that can undermine any vestige of humanity.
Our forefathers commended themselves to the Saints. We can still feel the need of their intervention. But beyond religious beliefs, we need men and women engaged with mankind.
The XXI century society suffers the scourge of many plagues under the form of human suffering. We need men and women who are good tools to fight them. From our civil society, from unions and employers, from public institutions.
Freedom, prosperity and social justice are achieved with the commitment of everyone, with their personal and collective contribution. This is the only way to achieve a more just and prosperous world. Our town, like so many other things, as it has happened throughout history, must also be a benchmark.
We should all have courage and commitment. Long live Sitges!”.
