Happy Sant Jordi!
BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS! A NEW FAVORITE HOLIDAY FOR ME!
Happy Sant Jordi! Right on the Heels of Easter comes a Catalonian holiday similar to Valentines day in the states. This is the story according to AI:
“Ah, you're in for a treat! The story of Sant Jordi, or Saint George as he's known in English, is a wonderful tale of bravery, a fearsome dragon, and a beautiful princess. It's a beloved story here in Catalonia.
Imagine a long, long time ago, there was a terrible dragon. This wasn't just any old lizard; this creature was enormous, breathed fire, and had everyone in the kingdom terrified. It lived in a lake and demanded daily sacrifices of people to keep it from attacking the town.
The people were desperate. They started drawing lots to decide who would be offered to the dragon. One fateful day, the lot fell upon the princess, the king's own daughter! Can you imagine the despair?
The princess, dressed in white and resigned to her fate, was led to the dragon's lair. But just as the monstrous beast was about to devour her, a brave knight appeared on a magnificent white horse. This knight was Sant Jordi.
Seeing the princess in danger, Sant Jordi didn't hesitate. He raised his lance and charged at the dragon. He fought valiantly, and with one powerful thrust, he pierced the dragon's heart.
Now, here's the magical part. From the blood that spilled from the dragon's wound, a beautiful rose bush grew, full of vibrant red roses. Sant Jordi, the brave knight, plucked a rose and offered it to the rescued princess.
And that, in a nutshell, is the story of Sant Jordi! It's a tale of courage overcoming evil and the blossoming of love and beauty. Here in Catalonia, we celebrate this day by exchanging roses and books, a tradition that beautifully combines the romantic element of the story with the power of knowledge and literature. It's a really special day filled with color and joy.” (Gemini)
Books and roses are for sale everywhere in the squares and streets! People dancing traditional dance in the street to a band playing in the square! Fun Fun Holiday!
What is the best book in the world ~ you guessed it The Book of Mormon! what a perfect day to share it.
The missionaries had set up tables throughout the Barcelona mission to share The Book of Mormon with those who might be interested. President Heckman, our mission president, encouraged us to be thoughtful about whom we offered the books to, focusing on individuals with sincere interest and not those who would discard them down the street. The sisters in our city spent the entire day at their table, with members offering support. We had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with them. Hundreds of copies of the Book of Mormon were given away that day within the mission.
During our time there, we had a wonderful interaction with one gentleman who was excited to receive a copy of the Book of Mormon. It was truly inspiring to see the genuine interest in his eyes. This was a different experience from those who approached the table out of curiosity but then declined when offered a free Book of Mormon, sometimes turning away as soon as we mentioned it.
There truly are people looking to come closer to their Savior who do not know where to find Him. It is such a blessing to be able to dedicate our time right now to serving the Lord and helping bring those souls to Him. IT IS FUN!! WE LOVE IT!!
