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Spain’s King and Queen took part in the national offering to St. James during the saint’s holy day on Sunday. King Juan Carlos used the time to plea for national unity in an increasingly fractured country.
 Terra Noticias “These are difficult and complex times,” he said, who asked for “dialogue, consensus and tolerance and mutual respect” in a both politically and nationally divided Spain. Juan Carlos called his country a “big family together, while diverse and plural, of which we are proud.”
Spain’s ethnic groups – such as the Basques and those in Catalunya – are becoming more vocal in their desire to secede from Spain and have their own countries.
The King also prayed for economic healing in a country with 20 percent unemployment. He even praised the Constitution and its usefulness.
This was King Juan Carlos’ second time he left Madrid since his lung operation in May. He was accompanied by Queen Sofia, who wore a traditional Spanish headdress.
2010 is a holy year for the Roman Catholic Church.
In May, the Prince and Princess of Asturias went on a pilgrimage to Compostela, located in northwestern Spain. They performed the millenia old journey from one cathedral to the Cathedral of St. James.
Sources: GPD, LaVanguardia,
The Prince and Princess of Asturias were religious pilgrims on Thursday by walking the Camino de Santiago in Ribadesella in Galicia, northwestern Spain. The Camino de Santiago means “Way of St. James” and it is a millenia old pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds the remain of the apostle, St. James, are buried.
 REUTERS/Miguel Vidal Beginning at 9:30am local time, Felipe and Letizia tied up their hiking boots and began their journey at San Paio Church. Usually the pilgrimage trail begins at Arca Santa Irene, but a few miles were cut to follow a schedule.
As the royal couple walked the path, they met many local people who turned out to see the future King and Queen of Spain perform one of their country’s most famous religious pilgrimages. Both Felipe and Letizia used walking sticks, and Felipe’s included a shell, which is a symbol of the Camino de Santiago.
The weather wasn’t the best that day, but Felipe and Letizia kept up their journey.
With local media following them, the Crown Prince and Princess passed through Camiño French Avenue, Concheiro, San Pedro, Casas Reais and Cervantes before finally reaching the praza da Quintana at around 1:30pm in the afternoon.
Before entering the Cathedral, they stopped to meet with a large crowd who gathered to see them. Letizia made one young girl’s day when she gave her a hug.
Live on local television, the couple then entered through the Holy Door. The couple embraced the statute of St. James, took a look at his relics, and then participated in mass.
2010 is a holy year for the Roman Catholic church, and St. James’ feast day takes place on July 25th, Sunday.
Although Spain is mainly Catholic, it has many liberal attitudes that differ from the Church’s teachings. Same-sex marriage was permitted about five years ago and some restrictions on abortion were lifted around the same time.
Sources: El Correo Gallego, Lainformacion
On the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, King Abdullah II of Jordan gave a televised speech to the country. In it, he encouraged his people on the Hashemite Kingdom’s progress and even acknowledged the Palestinians.
 Reuters/Youssef Allan “Brothers and sisters, members of the one Jordanian family,” the King said. “Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you. It is my pleasure, on the eve of the Eid Al Adha, an occasion that is special to all Muslims, to send you all and Arab and Muslim nations greetings and good wishes.”
“I also join you in sending special wishes to our brothers and sisters west of the river, who have not experienced the pleasure of Eid for many decades and continue to suffer the injustice of occupation and absence of justice,” King Abdullah continued. “We greet them on this day and emphasize that we stand by their side and will continue to support them in their quest for their legitimate rights, especially their right to freedom and to establish their independent state on their national soil.”
After making those points, the monarch went on to talk about Jordan’s economic, social and political progress. He said he was fully aware of the daily struggles many Jordanian face each day and carried their burden. “Work continues within a clear work plan to improve conditions and achieve the best for you and our country. I will settle for nothing less than the best for you.”
Overall, it was a short speech. After acknowledging the people’s economic struggles, King Abdullah wished the country a happy Eid.
Eid al-Adha is when Muslims commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son as commanded by God. Muslims sacrifice goats, camels, sheep and other animals in remembrance of God giving Abraham an animal in place of his son once he saw Abraham’s obedience.
King Abdullah led Thursday night Eid prayers at the King Hussein mosque with many of his male relatives. His son and heir, Crown Prince Hussein was also in attendance.
Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej made another public appearance today as he observed a traditional festival at Siriraj Hospital, where he has been for over a month.
 REUTERS/Bureau of the Royal Household/Handout Since his admittance to the hospital on September 19th, the people of Thailand have nervously followed news of King Bhumibol’s health. This latest appearance relieved Thais as it shows that their King is still in good health.
As national television showed, King Bhumibol lit a krathong for the Loy Krathong festival. An aide placed the krathong in the river as Queen Sirikit, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and other members of the royal family watched on. Loy Krathong is when Thais place lotus shaped trays into the Chao Phraya River in hopes of their bad luck drifting away, and they’ll receive good luck instead.
Outside of the hospital, thousands of well-wishers looked on as they held photographs of their beloved monarch.
Since news of the King’s health is a sensitive topic, any false information could lead to an arrest. It was revealed today that two people were charged with spreading rumors about Bhumibol’s health, which sent stocks plunging about two weeks ago.
The bishop of Honolulu, Hawaii joined the King and Queen of Belgium, and Belgian government officials, in a mass celebrating the life of a 19th century Flemish Roman Catholic priest who will be canonized as a saint next week. The service took place on Sunday in the town of Tremelo, where the priest, Father Damien, grew up. 
The mass was an open air one attended by thousands of devout Catholics, King Albert II and Queen Paola being one of them.
Next week, when Pope Benedict XVI canonizes Father Damien, the King and Queen would be present.
Father Damien was doing missionary work in Hawaii, when he began working with lepers on the island of Molokai. Even when he was told to cease his work directly by the Vatican, Father Damien continued to help the sick until his own death from leprosy in 1889.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995. But when Audrey Toguchi of Aiea, Oahu was cured of terminal cancer by praying to the priest, that elevated Father Damien to sainthood, according to the Catholic Church.
To see video of the mass, click here
 Getty Images Less than a week after the first Holy Communions for the sons of Infanta Cristina, the Spanish royal family were together once again to mark the samek Catholic rite for Infanta Elena’s daughter, Victoria Frederica de Marichalar.
All of the Spanish royals were in Madrid, except for the Crown Princely family. Felipe and Letizia are on an official visit to Colombia this week, and their two young daughters were not at the gathering.
King Juan Carlos arrived just in time from Rome, where a major football match is taking place.
Victoria is the King’s eldest granddaughter, from his eldest daughter.
Victoria’s parents were together for the ceremony, which is rare since Infanta Elena and Jaime de Marichalar separated in late 2007.
The House of Bourbon came together Saturday for the first communions of two of King Juan Carlos’ grandchildren.
 - noticias.terra.es
Juan and Pablo Urdangarin made the Roman Catholic rite at a church in Barcelona, where their mother, Infanta Cristina is based.
The King and Queen Sofia, the Crown Princely couple and their two young daughters, Leonor and Sofia, as well as Infanta Elena, joined the Urdangarins’ for the ceremony.
This is one of the last chances the royal family gets to be with Infanta Cristina and her family. This summer, they are transferring to the United States due to husband Inaki’s job.
Also making her first communion is Infanta Elena’s daughter, Victoria de Marichalar. She will be making the rite this coming Wednesday.
One of the reasons why it would be a big event is because it may be the first time Infanta Elena appears with her estranged husband, Jaime de Marichalar, since announcing their separation back in November 2007.
Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and their family took part in the closing of the octave at Our Lady of Luxembourg Sunday.
 - monarchie.lu
The annual event is draws hundreds of devout Catholics from not only Luxembourg, but France and Germany.
A procession went through the streets of the capital. In the parade were clergy, Luxembourg’s government officials, and of course it’s royal family. The children of the Grand Ducal couple who were involved yesterday were Prince Felix, Princess Alexandra, and Prince Louis and his young family – his two sons included! Prince Guillaume, the heir to the Grand Duchy, was not in attendance.
Following the procession, the Grand Ducal family appeared on the balcony of the royal palace.
The Virgin Mary is the patron saint of Luxembourg, and has been since the 1600′s.
The reigning Prince of Monaco celebrated his country’s patron saint, Devote. Prince Albert precided over the festivities that began Tuesday night, and ended Wednesday.
At 7pm Tuesday, the Prince performed the ritual of setting on fire a fishing boat in front of Eglise Sainte Devote. It done in memory of the burning of Florentine captain Antinope’s ship on the beach of Monaco, when he was caught after stealing the relics of Sainte Devote. This has been a tradition since Prince Louis II began it in 1924.
The burning of the boat was followed by fireworks.
The next day, Prince Albert oversaw the welcoming of the relics of Sainte Devote at the church, proceeded by a procession through the streets of Monaco.
Sainte Devote has been the patron saint of not only Monaco, but its ruling family, the Grimaldi’s, since the 16th century. It is said during a war between Monaco and Genoa, that Sainte Devote appeared to the princely family and promised them protection and victory. Six months later, the prophecy came true.
To learn more about Sainte Devote and her following in Monaco, click here
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