The procession in honor of San Bartolomé (St Bartholomew).
This year, the patron saint festival in honor of San Bartolomé in El Sabinar (Murcia – Spain) was very special for me, as I had the honor of delivering the opening speech. Here are a series of photos that will give you an idea of how the procession was on August 24, 2025.
Two thrones with the two saints as they leave the church.
A fundamental part of the festivities is the P. The images of Saint Bartholomew and the Virgen de la Rogativa* (Our Lady of Supplication) are carried on shoulders from the church to the school, where a large fireworks display is set off. Afterward, the procession returns to the church. Midway through the route, the group stops to sing the Anthem of Saint Bartholomew together.
Rockets are launched to mark the exact point where the procession is at any given moment.
The Tradition of Processions in Spain
Processions are a deeply rooted tradition in Spain, dating back to the Middle Ages. They are a religious expression of faith that in many towns and cities represents the peak of the year, especially during Holy Week (Semana Santa).
The Virgen de la Rogativa carried through the main street of El Sabinar.
In these processions, heavy wooden platforms, known as pasos or tronos, are often carried on shoulders. They hold images of saints or scenes from the life of Jesus. These pasos, like that of San Bartolomé, are often centuries-old works of art cared for by religious brotherhoods (cofradías).
A musical band from Moratalla accompanies the procession.
Carrying these images on shoulders is an act of penance and devotion, which is physically very demanding and done with great reverence. The procession is more than just a parade; it’s a deeply emotional event that unites the local community in a shared expression of faith and cultural heritage.
The throne of Saint Bartholomew at the end of Calle Mayor in El Sabinar.
Bartholomew, the Patron Saint
The festivals of El Sabinar are named after the village’s patron saint, San Bartolomé. He was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, also known in the Bible as Nathanael. His name, Bartholomew, literally means “son of Tolmai.”
This is where the anthem of San Bartolomé will be sung.
A Photographic Challenge
The photos of the procession are quite dark because there was almost no light. Apart from the LED light from the streetlights, there was no other light source available. This makes photographing the procession a great challenge.
I tried to take a picture each time the procession passed a streetlight to capture as much light as possible. In these types of situations, you learn to make the most of the circumstances, even if they are far from ideal.
Photo taken while singing the anthem of St. Bartholomew.
For Photographers
To take photos in dark conditions, you need the right equipment. First, a camera that can autofocus well in low light. Second, a bright lens with a wide aperture. In addition, the camera’s sensor must have a large dynamic range, produce little noise, and have a powerful processor that can convert light intensities into colors, even at high ISO values.
The procession heads to the school.
Technique is also crucial. For these photos, I generally used a shutter speed between 1/60 and 1/100, with an ISO value of 3200 and a diaphragm aperture of F5.6.
A fireworks show near the school.
I chose F5.6 because my lens performs best with that aperture. ISO 3200 is the maximum value I consider acceptable in terms of color and noise. The shutter speeds were actually too slow for sharp photos, but with my years of experience and the help of some elements, like a wall I could lean against, I managed to take these images.
The Virgen de la Rogativa returns to the church.
There were many participants
The photos show that many people took part in the procession. This makes photography even more difficult, as a constantly moving crowd in low light is a huge challenge. It is all about anticipation. You have to quickly assess where there is the most light, what the best angle is, and where the procession is likely to stop. Then, you find a stable position to take your shot.
The church bell rings when the procession arrives.
Next, the national anthem plays and the images return to the church one by one.
The band plays the national anthem
I hope these images have given you an idea of the emotion and atmosphere of this unique procession. For me, it was a true privilege to be a part of it and to capture such a special piece of the traditions of El Sabinar.
The images return to the church until the next procession.
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More information:
La procesión de las fiestas patronales de El Sabinar 2025 (original story in Spanish)
*The term “Rogativa” comes from the Spanish verb rogar, which means “to plead” or “to beg.” In a religious context, it refers to a collective prayer or a procession made to implore divine help, often during a time of great need like a drought or an epidemic.
