The septennial Venerations in Limousin: humanity's intangible cultural heritage

The septennial nature of these venerations was adopted gradually starting in the 14th century and permanently in the 16th century.

This interval was selected to preserve the events' solemn character and prevent them from being overused. The next venerations in Limousin will take place in 2023, and then in 2030.

Members of the Saint-Leonard brotherhood in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat in 2009.

The number seven is very symbolic in the Bible and in the Catholic religion. It is the quintessential number of achievement: the Creation in seven days, the seven sacraments, the seven deadly sins, and the seven cardinal and theological virtues.

Here, a group dressed as doctors during the 2009 venerations in Saint-Junien, which had 1,500 participants in the procession and drew 100,000 spectators to watch it pass by.

The Limousin Venerations have become major popular festivals, while also retaining their religious character.

The septennial venerations take place one after another in the veneration municipalities from April to October.

In 2016, 20 municipalities participated:
Crocq and Guéret in Creuse,
Charroux in Vienne,
Abzac and Esse in Charente,
Aixe-sur-Vienne, Aureil, Chaptelat, Eymoutiers, Javerdat, Le Dorat, Limoges, Nexon, Pierre-Buffière, Rochechouart, Saint-Junien, Saint-Just-le-Martel, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, Saint-Victurnien, and Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche in Haute-Vienne.

One or more saints are honored in each municipality. Saint Ferreolus, during the 2009 Venerations in Rochechouart.

In fact, it houses the relics of the city's three main saints in its choir: Saint Martial, the 3rd century first bishop of Limoges; Saint Lupus, his successor; and Saint Valerie, a martyr follower of Saint Martial.

The great Brotherhood of Saint Martial was officially founded in 1356 but probably dates back to the 12th century.
Since 1820, the rules have set the number of the brotherhood's members at 72: exclusively male, but from various social backgrounds.

The Brotherhood of the Bearers of Saint Martial's Reliquary, which until then had been part of the great Saint Martial brotherhood, was created in 1988.

The brotherhood of Saint Martial's colors are amaranth red and white, which their members wear in a scarf.

The Bearers of Saint Martial's Reliquary dress in vestments with an amaranth red belt.

The Brotherhood of Saint Lupus was founded in 1153. Their members are exclusively male. Their colors are gold and white.
Like all brotherhoods, its leaders are called bayles. They are appointed by their colleagues.

A few hundred yards from the church of Saint-Michel-des-Lions is the historic neighborhood, la Boucherie. Its eponymous main street has long been home to butchers, who were among the wealthiest and most influential people in the city.

The butchers' corporation, founded in 930, met in the chapel of Saint Aurelianus starting in 1471.

Sold as national property during the Revolution, it was acquired by six families who were members of the corporation, and who still own it today.

With the butchers' corporation having been dissolved, its place was left to the Saint Aurelianus Brotherhood and the Notre-Dame-de-Pitié Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood of Saint Aurelianus was opened to non-butchers in 1970, then to women in 2009. It now has 55 members, who sport the green and white colors.

In addition to organizing ceremonies, Venerations, and maintaining the chapel, the members are also involved in social actions in France and abroad.

The Brotherhood of Notre-Dame-de-Pitié has brought together female butchers since the Revolution. Officially established in 1998, it is now mixed.

Also known as the Brotherhood of Notre-Dame-des-Petits-Ventres, every year it organizes the procession that is held during the Frairie-des-Petits-Ventres.

This gastronomic event is reminiscent of the 19th century Marian festival that celebrated the resumption of tripe product making every September, after the summer heat.

The church of Sacré-Cœur, built during the 1930s, is a jewel of interwar religious art.
Today, it is the headquarters of the Brotherhood of Saint Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners.

The brotherhood, which has existed since the 14th century, was legally established in 1804.
Long reserved for professional gardeners, it opened up to men and women from all backgrounds during the 2000s, which revitalized the organization.

Gardening work is always highlighted, with superb compositions of flowers, fruit, and vegetables created for the septennial venerations, as well as for the day of Saint Fiacre, celebrated in each year during the first weekend of September.

The brotherhood still has a processional banner from the mid-19th century, decorated with painting and gold embroidery.
The brotherhood's motto is: Prayer, Union, and Work.

This banner is very rare.
In fact, it is the only example of a banner dedicated to Saint Fiacre in Limousin. Its green dye is exceptional.

As it has been very damaged over time and was subject to a failed repair, there is a new restoration planned, supported by the Fondation du Patrimoine (French Heritage Foundation).