What exactly is "la Corte de San Fermín"?

This is an association which was founded in 1885 in gratitude for favors made by San Fermín, when, according to tradition, the saint prevented several epidemics from breaking out in Pamplona after they had caused grave illnesses in other neighboring regions

The Corte de San Fermín is a religious association set up in 1885 and which currently has some 800 members of both sexes. They have their headquarters in the office of the Parish Church of San Lorenzo, at no.74 Calle Mayor in Pamplona. The parish priest of this church is always the chairman of the board of the Corte and this board also includes a secretary, a treasurer and four members of the board. Their main purpose is to maintain and promote (Christian) devotion to saint San Fermín. At present, this devotion is materialized in actions such as maintaining the upkeep of the relics of San Fermín and in accompanying the figure of the saint in the important celebrations of the saint. In addition, the members would also make their own singular contributions with their own personal actions related to the saint.

The Corte celebrates San Fermín at different dates throughout the year: the second Sunday of January is the festival of the relics which commemorates the removal of these relics from Amiens (France) to Pamplona many hundreds of years ago. On the 6th of July the celebration of the "vísperas", and on the 7th of July the saint's day is celebrated with the yearly procession. Here the members of the Board of the Corte and all the members who wish to participate play an important role in the procession and the subsequent religious acts held in the chapel of the saint. On the 14th of July at 11.00 a.m. the "Octava" is celebrated (seven days after the saint's day celebrations). The City Hall councilors attend this ceremony and this is the closing religious service of the Sanfermin Fiestas.

In addition, in September there is also a big day for San Fermín from the religious point of view. On the 25th of this month the commemoration of the martyrdom of San Fermín is held and an annual novena begins on the 17th of this month which culminates on the 25th. (Nine religious functions)

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