Month: January 2019

Prince Albert II and wife Princess Charlene of Monaco were in attendance at this year’s celebrations to commemorate the arrival of Saint Devota.

Four-year-old Prince Jacques was also in attendance for the Saturday evening event, which comes 303 years following her death.

Tradition holds that she was a Corsican woman born around 283 AD at Mariana. A young virgin, she had decided to devote herself fully to the service of God. Devota was part the household of senator Eutychius. During the Diocletian persecution, the prefect Barbarus arrived in Corsica and, when he learned that the senator was harbouring a Christian in his house, demanded that she be given up. Eutychius refused and Barbarus arranged to have him poisoned. Devota was imprisoned and tortured and killed for her faith. 

After her death, the governor of the province ordered for her body to be burnt to prevent its veneration. However, it was saved from the flames by Christians. Her body was placed on a boat bound for Africa, but a storm directed the boat to what is now the Principality of Monaco. 

Devota became patron saint of Monaco. Now, every January 27, her feast day is marked with ceremonies.

On Sunday, January 27, the royal family attended mass at the cathedral of Monaco before appearing on the balcony of the palace to watch the procession that traditionally takes place on the feast day.

Created 35 years ago in Principality, Rue Plati, the Catholic association Faith, Action, Radiation (FAR) has just acquired new premises located within the “Villa Thérèse”.

This building, located on the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, was inaugurated last weekend by HSH Prince Albert II, in the presence of Patrice Cellario, Government Counselor – Minister of the Interior, Bishop Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco and of personalities of the Principality.

With its 1284m2 of living space and 184m2 of courtyards, balconies, terraces and outdoor stairs, this new building, rehabilitated by the Public Works Department, is perfectly adapted to welcome the young people and families of the association and to continue write the story of the FAR.

Through play, friendship, joy and prayer, the FAR’s vocation is to make the values ​​of the Christian life known to the children entrusted to it. Thanks to the employees and the many volunteers who work there, the FAR welcomes children and families, whatever their age, in different clubs.

The 16th edition of the festival created and directed by Ezio Greggio will take place with a rich program of events will include the projection of all movies in competition.

The award ceremony will be held at the Salle Prince Pierre on Sunday March 9th with numerous international guests, shows and exhibitions by famous artists and awards dedicated to the great protagonists of international comedy and cinema.

The festival’s movie projections will be divided in two main sections:

Official Selection: This represents the festival’s main screening session, with the projection of all movies in competition;

Gala Screenings: The section will present a limited number of films out of competition selected from the best comedy productions of the year. Films, which have already been presented in other festivals, can be selected for the competition as long as they have not won official awards in festivals with a similar scope as the Monte-Carlo Film Festival.

A day after suspending and then sacking Thierry Henry, Monaco re-hired Leonardo Jardim, who they sacked three months ago.

There were 17 games remaining of the season, for Jardim to keep the club in the top flight. But for his first game in charge, on Saturday 26 January, Monaco lost 2-0 at Dijon.

French newspaper L’Equipe reported that Jardim met with club executives over a meal on Thursday evening to iron out his new deal, which they reported is a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Jardim was only sacked by Monaco three and a half months ago.

Monaco – who have signed Cesc Fabregas, Naldo, Fode Toure and Lyle Foster this month – were also knocked out of the Coupe de France on Tuesday night, losing 3-1 at home to Ligue 2 side Metz.

AS Monaco has announced the suspension of Thierry Henry as manager.

In a brief press release, the club said, “AS Monaco announces that it has decided to suspend first-team coach Thierry Henry.

“Franck Passi will train the professional group this Friday.”

During Henry’s brief tenure, Monaco have been knocked out of the Champions League and the French Cup and they are sitting in the French Ligue 1 relegation zone.

This is no different from the troubles Henry inherited, but he has failed to turn around the fortunes of the team.