Ronda

Ronda prepares a month of events for the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi

The programme, concentrated in October, includes an exaltation, a triduum, a procession, an auto sacramental, a concert and a photographic exhibition at various points in the city.

Redacción · Published on September 26, 2026 at 07:31

During the month of October, Ronda will hold a series of activities on the occasion of the VIII Centenary of the Passing of Saint Francis of Assisi, which commemorates the 800th anniversary of the saint's death. The programme is part of the Jubilee Year that began last January 10. The activities have been organised by the Parish of Santa María de la Encarnación la Mayor and of the Espíritu Santo of Ronda, the community of Franciscan Sisters and Poor Clare Sisters, and the Real Hermandad del Santo Entierro de Ronda, with the collaboration of the City Council. The programme was presented by the Councillor for Culture and Festivities, Rebeca Muñoz, and the parish priest of Santa María and the Espíritu Santo, Paco Sánchez.

The first events

The programme will begin on Wednesday, September 30, with an exaltation to Saint Francis by the Ronda native and Franciscan Fray Salva, Salvador Jiménez Durán, at the Convento de las Hermanas Franciscanas, at 20.00 hours. A triduum in honour of the saint will then be held on October 1, 2 and 3, at 20.00 hours, at the Iglesia de las Reverendas Madres Franciscanas.

The feast day and the neighbourhood fair

On Sunday, October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis, a mass will be held at 18.30 hours at the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo, followed by a procession through the San Francisco neighbourhood. The Real Feria del barrio closes that same day. On Friday, October 9, at 20.00 hours, at the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo, an auto sacramental about the stigmata of Saint Francis will take place.

Concert, exhibition and final prayer

On Friday, October 23, at 20.00 hours, at the Convento de las Hermanas Franciscanas, a group of Franciscan married couples from Granada will perform. An open day is also planned around a photographic exhibition dedicated to the saint and the San Francisco neighbourhood, and a prayer for peace at the Convento de las Hermanas Clarisas, on Friday, October 30, at 20.00 hours. Paco Sánchez has explained that these proposals "aim to bring the figure, message and values of Saint Francis closer to the people of Ronda, especially humility, simplicity, joy, respect for nature, coexistence and the search for peace".