Summary
In 2026, Navarra will host Javieradas, a deeply rooted Catholic pilgrimage centered around Saint Francis Xavier’s birthplace in Javier Castle. The Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela has officially confirmed the dates for these events, which this year are set to celebrate faith under the theme “Invited to faith.” Two central dates have been established: the First Javierada will take place on March 8 with a traditional Way of the Cross ceremony followed by Holy Mass; the Second Javierada is scheduled for March 14, featuring an afternoon schedule that facilitates family participation. Both pilgrimages culminate before the basilica dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier. These gatherings serve as a physical manifestation of faith and a communal expression of penance, prayer, and witness in a society marked by secularization. The tradition dates back to the late 19th century when the faithful promised to pilgrimage to Javier Castle after overcoming a cholera epidemic. Initiated officially on March 10, 1940, by the Brotherhood of Volunteer Knights of the Cross under Bishop Marcelino Olaechea, the event has since evolved into an annual occasion convened by the archbishop and lived as a communal gesture of faith during the Novena of Grace before Saint Francis Xavier’s castle.
Key Topics
Javieradas, Francis Xavier, Navarra
