The Calvary of Betharram (9)
400 years old and a few wrinkles
Sunday, September 11, more than four hundred people attended the solemn celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Betharram Calvary. The celebration began with the meditation of the 15 stations of the way of the cross of Betharram and went on, in front of the Chapel of the Resurrection, with the Holy Mass presided by Mons. Marc Aillet, Bishop of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron.
After the meal, the people present could hear the historical account of the building of the different chapels of the Station of the Cross. The day ended with a concert of songs of Béarn. This was a suitable conclusion of a very special day.
From the completion and the inauguration of the Calvary, on September 14th, 1873, to September 14th, 2016, the stations of the Way of the Cross inevitably underwent the ravages of time.
Eventually, after long preparations, the restoration of the Calvary is launched. The Regional Vicar, Fr. Jean-Dominique Delgue scj, reminded us last May in En avant (bulletin of the Vicariate of France-Spain): “An important effort is necessary! About four years of works. In four stages. At first we will focus on the most damaged stations. The total cost is estimated at 1 500 000 €. The association of the “Friends of the Sanctuaries of Bétharram” committed to participating in the financing; the Congregation stood surety.
Everybody is concerned: a beautiful heritage to be embellished so that the walker, the passer-by, the tourist, the pilgrim, the curious can enjoy the peace of the place, find what he is looking for, meditate along the different chapels leading to life. In this Calvary of Bétharram, the Cross is glorious! “
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