The Consell de Mallorca, the Diocese of Mallorca, and the Canon of Santa Magdalena, in collaboration with the Palma City Council and the Teatre Principal, are organising the carro triunfal de santa Catalina Tomàs on 16 and 17 October. This year’s celebration comes with significant recognition, as the Consell de Mallorca has officially declared the colcadas in honour of Santa Catalina Tomàs in Palma, Valldemossa, and Santa Margalida as intangible cultural heritage of Mallorca (BICIM).
The parade is set to take place on Saturday, 17 October, at 18:30, with an expected participation of 900 individuals and over thirty groups. The president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, presented the programme for the festivities alongside the vice president and councillor for Culture and Heritage, Antònia Roca; the episcopal vicar for Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Mallorca, Mn. Francesc Vicens; and the event coordinators, Gabriel Carrió and Mari Pau Ruiz.
The carro triunfal of Palma is the oldest in Mallorca, tracing its origins back to celebrations held in 1792 for the beatification of the Valldemossian nun, who lived from 1531 to 1574. The Gran i General Consell promoted the parade as it had previously supported the canonisation cause, which was completed in 1930. This historical connection explains the ongoing relationship between the current Consell de Mallorca and a colcada that serves as a civic tribute to a religious figure and a celebration that extends beyond municipal boundaries.
This year’s Beateta will be Emma Martínez González. The parade will feature representatives from the municipalities of Palma, Andratx, Binissalem, Campos, Consell, Felanitx, Llucmajor, Maria de la Salut, Marratxí, Muro, Pollença, Porreres, Santa Margalida, Santanyí, Selva, Sóller, Valldemossa, and Vilafranca de Bonany. More than thirty groups will participate, including music bands, xeremiers, folkloric groups, giants, floats, and representations of historical and religious figures associated with Santa Catalina Tomàs, as well as decorated carts and the ministriles of the Consell de Mallorca. The Municipal Band of Music of Palma will conclude the parade.
There will also be a special collaboration from the giants xeremiers of the Palma City Council and the Coral Sant Jaume. The choir will perform “Sor Tomasseta” during the morning procession in front of the church of Sant Jaume and will sing “La Balanguera” with the entire community to close the colcada.
Programme of events
Friday, 16 October
- 19:00 - Presentation of the Beateta at the church of Santa Magdalena.
- 19:30 - Catechesis on Santa Catalina Tomàs for children, led by Mn. Bartomeu Villalonga Moyà, rector of the pastoral unit of Santanyí, at the church of Santa Magdalena.
Saturday, 17 October
- 10:00 - Morning procession around the monastery of Santa Magdalena.
- 11:00 - Solemn concelebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Mn. Bartomeu Villalonga Moyà. The Beateta will attend, accompanied by her angels and traditional figures.
- 18:30 - Carro triunfal de Santa Catalina Tomàs. The route will include: Plaza del Hospital, Costa de la Sang, La Rambla, Calle de la Riera, Calle de la Unió, Plaza del Mercat, Avenida de Jaume III, Calle de Bonaire, Calle del Bisbe Campins, Via Roma, Costa de la Sang, Calle del Jardí Botànic, and Plaza de Santa Magdalena. Following the procession, there will be a floral offering and veneration of the body of Santa Catalina Tomàs.
