We inform the readers of our page that fortunately, a few days ago, thanks to the contributions of individuals and a company from Monforte – FENESTRA – we have obtained full funding to carry out the restoration of the Christ of Moure. Precisely this year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of the aforementioned altarpiece.
On behalf of the FCNSdlA, many thanks to the donors.
This year, 2025, brings us an event to celebrate, of a cultural nature, and of which we should all be recognized and proud. It is a birthday. Nothing less than the 400 years that this year 2025 will mark the birth of the magnificent altarpiece of the Church of Nª Sª de la Antigua. Father Esteban, in his book about the College, tells us how our altarpiece was born and the conditions that were established with Moure for its realization. He expressed it like this:
“As for the altarpiece, it was agreed, in a public deed of November 16, 1625, between the Rector of the College, Father Juan Antonio Velázquez, and the Galician sculptor Francisco Moure, who had previously made the choir stalls of the Monastery of Meira, several altars and images for the Monastery of Samos and the choir of the Cathedral of Lugo. The idea and the sketch of how it was to be done were given to him by Father Juan Antonio Velázquez himself.
The following conditions are established in said contract: 1°) he would fill the entire space at the back; 2°) he would work within the College; 3°) he would be helped by six good officials; 4°) he would work continuously, not being able to miss more than three months, until the work was finished and, for each day that he missed, in addition to the three months, he would lose two ducats; 5°) the officials would be paid four reales at the end of the week. Moure would be paid 270 ducats a year and, when the work was finished, a sculptor on behalf of Moure and another on behalf of the College would value the altarpiece and, if it is worth more than what they had been paid during the years worked, they would pay him and, if it is worth less, Moure would pay the College the difference. The College would provide all the wood, framing and glue….”
Don’t forget that we are collecting donations to restore “Nª Sª de la Antigua”
To Donate
The FCNSdlA proposes to individuals and companies to participate in the restoration of the Christ of Moure that is currently in the sacristy of the church of Nª Sª de la Antigua. The Sacred Image needs urgent intervention and we want to count on the collaboration of individuals as well as Montfort institutions so that they can collaborate with us in this project. The restaurant budget is around €1800.
For those who want to collaborate, it can be done through the menu of this page in the “DONAR” option and it is that page by clicking on the “DONAR” button that you will find at the bottom of the page. A dialog opens where you can specify how you want to donate, the amount with which you collaborate and you will also find the text: “Write a note (optional)” where we ask you to indicate “Cristo de Moure Restoration”. If you donate by card, please DO NOT put the tick in the save data section, as it would lead you to become a member of PayPal.
Book in tribute to Fr. Esteban Martínez, a Piarist who dedicated his life to the education and evangelization of children in Monforte de Lemos. Book that collects memories, impressions, biography, articles… by various authors, compiled by D. Abel Veiga on the occasion of the gratitude, tribute and remembrance that was held in 2016 promoted by his former disciples.
These days the news has appeared in the press about the consideration in the budgets by the Xunta de Galicia of the intervention on the dome of the Royal College PP. Escolapios of Monforte. This time, the agreement with the Xunta was signed by the owner of the college P. Javier Agudo as representative of the PP. Escolapios in Monforte. From the FCNSdlA we thank the Xunta for this new investment that once again makes visible its care for the artistic and cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of this building in the whole of the Ribeira Sacra that once again opts to be recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The FCNSdlA puts itself at the service of this interesting project contributing its grain of sand, architectural, artistic and cultural. Also thanking the sensitivity of the Ministry of Culture.
These days, already preparing the new course so that in September everything is ready to receive the students, the new music classroom has been prepared, the furniture of which has been donated by the Colegio Nª Sª de la Antigua Foundation. The FCNDdlA has collaborated with the school during the course in improving its facilities and supporting students with various needs.
Some photos show us how good this classroom has turned out, which is already eagerly awaiting its new students.
JAG
These days last week, more than 300 young people, male and female students from the Piarist schools have begun their “Way to Santiago” in Monforte de Lemos, in the facilities of the Real Colegio PP. Piarists. These were two different batches, the first, they slept in the sports center on the night of July 3 to 4, the second on the night of the 6 to 7.
Duly accompanied by their instructors, these three hundred students began their summer experience with the aim of making their trip a true pilgrimage, meeting new classmates from other schools and testing themselves in this experience that at times can be hard. All of their credentials were stamped with the seal that our center has for this purpose.
With some photos we illustrate what was said so that the news is recorded.
Within the institutional framework of a visit by the Duke of Alba, promoted by the City Council of Monforte de Lemos, Don Carlos Fitz-James Stuart has visited Monforte. Don Carlos, in turn, holds the title of Count of Lemos and by this title, he is patron of the Colegio Nª Sª de la Antigua Foundation, according to its statutes, since 1593.
Don Carlos, accompanied by the mayor of Monforte de Lemos, Mr. José Tomé Roca, and members of the municipal corporation, visited the monumental area of the Royal College of the PP. Piarists accompanied by Father Javier Agudo, Managing Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Estefanía López, current director of the school, Don Jorge Valcárcel, manager of the school, Pablo Blanco, former director of the school and other members of the educational center.
Don Carlos signed in the College’s Signature Book and Father Javier Agudo, in remembrance and fulfillment of one of the conditions set by Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro, gave Mr. Conde de Lemos a wax candle, at least three pounds and with the Cardinal’s weapons.
In an entry on this WEBSITE dated JANUARY 28, 2021 titled “ORANTE STATUE OF CARDINAL RODRIGO DE CASTRO” he defended that in Spain there were only two works by Juan de Bolonia, The Orante Statue of the Cardinal and Philip III of the Plaza Mayor in Madrid . After a little research I have to correct what was written in that 2021 entry and share with our friends that there are at least 5 works by Juan de Bolonia, different from each other because they are three made of bronze, one made of marble and another made of paper as it is a drawing. for a font project.
Therefore, the catalog of the works of Juan de Bolonia in Spain would look like this:
1.- Praying Statue of Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro. Church of the Royal College of Nª Sª de la Antigua PP. Piarists.
2.- Equestrian statue of King Felipe III. Plaza Mayor of Madrid.
3.- Christ Crucified. Cathedral Museum of Lugo and from the Royal College of Nª Sª de la Antigua PP. Piarists.
4.- Allegory of Francis I de’ Medici. Marble plate. Prado Museum, Madrid.
5.- Fountain of Hercules, preparatory drawing for the creation of said fountain, on paper. Prado Museum, Madrid.
JAG 2024
Now ending the 2023-24 academic year in which we have celebrated 150 years of the presence of the PP. Piarists in Monforte, we give an account here of the activities that we have developed during this course:
MARCH 30, 2023 CONFERENCE 500 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF CARDINAL RODRIGO DE CASTRO– FELIPE AIRA PARDO. SCHOOL ASSEMBLY ROOM
SEPTEMBER 9, 2023. Concert by the “Pulso e Púa de Arousa” orchestra
SEPTEMBER 11, 2023. WELCOME DAY START OF NEW COURSE “BIRTHDAY OF THE PIARISTS-150 YEARS- SCHOOL ESPLANADE
SEPTEMBER 12. Concert by MAIRE QUINTET within the framework of the activities of the CNSdlA Foundation and the International Sailing Brotherhood
OCTOBER 5, 2023. PRESENTATION OF THE RESTORATION OF THE CARDINAL RODRIGO DE CASTRO PAINTING– PINACOTECA DEL COLLEGE
OCTOBER 6, 2023. CONFERENCE: 150 YEARS OF THE PIARISTS IN MONFORTE– PEDRO GÓMEZ ÁLVAREZ- SCHOOL ASSEMBLY ROOM
OCTOBER 2023 SIGNATURE BOOK OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE: JOSÉ TOMÉ ROCA (MAYOR-PRESIDENT OF THE DEPUTATION) – FRANCISCO VÁZQUEZ PORTOMEÑE (EXCONSELLEIRO XUNTA DE GALICIA) – PEDRO GÓMEZ FERNÁNDEZ (RETIRED INSPECTOR OF EDUCATION) – MONSEÑOR FRANCISCO FROJÁN (SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE HOLY SEE)- FRANCISCO CONDE LÓPEZ (EX-VICE PRESIDENT AND EX-CONSELLEIRO OF THE XUNTA DE GALICIA)
APRIL 27, 2024. ADAGIO CONSERVATORY CONCERT – COLLEGE CHURCH
MAY 24, 2024. PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK “MONFORTE, 1951-52” BY XOSÉ DE VALBUXÁN. In the School Assembly Hall.
JUNE 1, 2024. 150 YEARS CELEBRATION LUNCH. 12:00 CHURCH CELEBRATION, 1:00 PM OPEN DAY. 14:00 LUNCH IN THE MONUMENTAL CLOISTER
JUNE 25, 2024. Participation of the Royal College of PP. Monforte Piarists at the conference organized by the Galician Culture Council entitled “EMPC #44 Heritage Interventions in the Nosa Señora da Antiga School (Monforte de Lemos): Past, Present and Future”
JAG 2024
