Ostentions in Limousin - An explanation

2009 will be packed full of extraordinary religious events across Haute Vienne, and in some parts of Charente, but what are the 'ostentions' and why are they celebrated?  I've put together the following brief guide:

 

What are the Ostentions?

The term is derived from the Latin word 'ostendre' meaning to exhibit.  In this case, the participating communes exhibit the relics of their saints, normally via a ceremonial procession.  Essentially the process 'venerates' and gives thanks for the saints' existence, and it occurs once every seven years.

 

Why do they take place?

The Ostentions date back to 994AD, when Limousin was facing a terrible and deadly epidemic of sickness called 'Mal des Ardents,' which killed hundreds of people.  At the time, people thought that the epidemic was an act of God, punishing them for their sins, and they flocked to the churches of Limoges begging for divine intervention.  In November 994, after three days of fasting and prayers, the Bishop of Limoges and his brother the Abbot of St Martial lifted the remains of St Martial (first Bishop of Limoges) from tomb, and placed it in a shrine of gold.  The shrine was carried in a procession, marking the first Ostention.  In reality, the people had been poisoned by contaminated rye bread, made from crops that had been infested with a fungal parasite.  From 1519 the Ostentions became a regular event, taking place every seven years.  

 

Which communes take part?

In 2009 there will be eighteen communes holding events as part of the overall festival (click the place to go to details of the main procession in our events section):

 

Limoges (Haute Vienne)	Saint-Victurnan (Haute Vienne)
Javerdat (Haute Vienne)	St-Just-le-Martel (Haute Vienne)
Nexon (Haute Vienne)	Aureil (Haute Vienne)
Aixe-sur-Vienne (Haute Vienne)	Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat (Haute Vienne)
Rochechouart (Haute Vienne)	Esse (Charente)
Le Dorat (Haute Vienne)	Chaptelat (Haute Vienne)
Eyemoutiers (Haute Vienne)	Charroux (Vienne)
St-Yrieix-la-Perche (Haute Vienne)	St Junien (Haute Vienne)
Crocq (Creuse)	Pierre-Buffiere (Haute Vienne)

 

What do the celebrations consist of?

Normally the Ostentions are marked by a Mass and a procession, but in the larger towns like Limoges, St Junien, Rochechouart and Le Dorat, there is a long programme of events, such as conferences, exhibitions and sometimes a Mass and procession to mark the start of the festival.  It is worth consulting the town hall in each place to see the exact details of all events.  Alternatively check out the following link to the official guide.

 

Official Guide (French)

 

Have you been to the Ostentions before?  If so we'd like to hear about you rexperience.  Leave a comment below!

 
Posted by: Richard Stewart on 09 February 2009