A Celebration of Sainthood in Menorca Among the many annual festivals celebrated in the Balearic Islands, the upcoming Processio de la Beata is considered one of the most important. It is a celebration in honor of Saint Catalina Tomas, the patron saint of the town of Santa Margalida.

In the true spirit of Mallorcan celebrations, the first weekend of September finds the streets of Mallorca filled with cheery and colorfully clad locals, surely a sight for travelers. The procession begins at 9 o'clock in the evening, starting from the local parish church and led by La Beata on foot. What follows is a lively procession of floats depicting the life of Saint Catalina, painstakingly decorated by the locals paying homage to their saint.

The twelve floats tell of the story of Saint Catalina, allowing visitors to Menorca to be one with paying homage to the saint. Behind the floats are the local people dressed in traditional costumes, representing peasants and devils. With them are music bands singing traditional chants and adding to the festive mood. At the very end of the procession is a girl or young woman, considered lucky by her peers as she has been chosen to represent Saint Catalina.

Throughout the night, the parade makes its way around the streets of Valldemossa. Locals and visitors alike line the streets to witness the colorful parade, while children dressed as devils run around and attempt to scare the onlookers. The locals in the procession also reenact the battles between peasants and devils. The procession culminates in the Church Square, and what follows is a night of feasting filled with food, traditional music, and dancing. The Processio de la Beata this September is certainly not to be missed.

Flights to Menorca and the other nearby Balearic Islands will transport you to the colorful streets of Valldemossa, where you can join the locals in their merriment and thanksgiving to their patron saint.