Thousands congregate to honor Montserrat's black Madonna in first procession this century

Thousands of people congregated in Catalonia's most famous multi-peaked mountain range, Montserrat, on Sunday morning to honor 'La Moreneta', an iconic carved sculpture of a black Madonna, during the first procession this century.

This year's Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, coincided with the Montserrat Abbey millennium anniversary celebrations. But thousands gathered at Plaça de Santa Maria to watch the first procession of 'La Moreneta' this century. The last time it left the Basilica was 28 years ago, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the enthronement of the Virgin of Montserrat.

'La Moreneta' has left the Basilica three times in history, the first time was in 1947 after Spain's Civil War, as a way of "trying to unite the society" after the conflict.

The second time it was in 1997, and the third time was on Sunday, as priest Joan Maria Mayol told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Some, like Pere and Montse, from a small village named Aiguafreda, said that they "come every year" to see the Virgin, and because this was such a "special day that we will not see it ever again," they decided to come for the weekend.

A message shared by Imma, a Sant Fruitós de Bages resident, who said "this only happens once in a lifetime, and we are very excited," she said before adding that they had "planned everything to have everything under control."

Meanwhile, Eva from Barcelona came to see the Virgin of Montserrat and to accompany her husband, who was one of the carriers of the iconic carved sculpture.

This was one of many more celebrations taking place since September 2024, until December 8 2025, to celebrate the millennium.

Montserrat Abbey documentary

After a two-year recording, a new documentary will explain the day-to-day life of monks in Montserrat Abbey.

'El Temps de Montserrat' is a film documentary directed by Carles Prats, and will premier on April 29 at Barcelona Film Fest.

Prats told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the movie "was a very interesting experience and very different" to his previous jobs.

The documentary explains the day-to-day life of the monks but it also gives a "personal touch." For him, spectators will get to live "what it feels to spend 24 hours in Montserrat's monastery, but recorded during two years."

Podcast 

Montserrat is a natural wonder, a rocky mountain range that rises from the plains of central Catalonia. It's a holy place, home to La Moreneta, the Virgin of Montserrat, and a Benedictine Abbey with a history stretching back one thousand years. Press play below to listen or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.