The city of Burgos has celebrated once again, on this December 28, the traditional feast of the boy bishop, a medieval custom linked to the feast of the Holy Innocents, in which one of the boys from the cathedral’s choir symbolically assumes the role of bishop for a day.
A tradition with centuries of history
The figure of the boy bishop has its roots in the Middle Ages and was particularly relevant in the great European cathedrals. In Burgos, the tradition consisted of selecting a boy from the cathedral choir to recall, through a symbolic inversion of roles, a fundamental evangelical truth: the primacy of humility, innocence, and service over power.
Far from any mockery, the boy bishop represented a pedagogical and spiritual exercise, both for the children and for the clergy and the faithful, reminding them that authority in the Church must always be understood as service. After disappearing for decades, the tradition was revived at the end of the 20th century thanks to the reactivation of the choir, and since then it has been a stable part of the Burgalese Christmas calendar.
The 2025 celebration
In this edition, the chosen boy bishop has been Beltrán Rubio, a 12-year-old boy, member of the Escolanía de los Pueri Cantores, a basketball and music enthusiast, and trumpeter in the San Gil band.
The events began at the Monastery of the Visitation of the Salesas, where the traditional rites were celebrated. Along with the canon responsible for the choir, Agustín Burgos Asurmendi, the boy bishop, the vicar general, and the two secretaries were vested. In this setting, Beltrán addressed his first words to the faithful, the tunics were imposed on the new choirboys, and an image of the Child Jesus was presented for adoration, all accompanied by the songs of the choir.
After the liturgical celebration, the Pueri Cantores went to the monastery parlor, where the Salesian nuns treated the children to sweets, thanked with new songs. From there, the procession headed to the Archbishop’s Palace.
Meeting with the archbishop
The boy bishop was received by the Archbishop of Burgos, Mons. Mario Iceta Gavicagogeascoa, who showed him the nativity scene installed in the vestibule of the Archdiocese and later accompanied him to the Throne Room, where the traditional exchange of words took place.
In his speech, Beltrán made a request on behalf of all children, asking that “we can all continue to enjoy the love, protection, and education of our elders,” and called for society’s commitment so that “no child in the world suffers injustices.” He also alluded to armed conflicts and “the lack of love in many places,” expressing his conviction that “love can conquer all.”
The archbishop thanked the message and emphasized the importance of the choir as a living quarry of the cathedral, recalling that “to the extent that we glorify God is when peace dawns in the world.” He also highlighted the value of singing and music as instruments of communion and peace, and encouraged the Pueri Cantores to continue being spokespersons and ambassadors of Burgos, not only in the liturgical sphere, but also cultural and social.
Tour of the city
Once the meeting was over, the boy bishop headed to Nuño Rasura Street, where the horse awaited him with which he toured the historic center of the city to the City Hall. From the balcony of the Town Hall, he greeted the mayor and addressed his message to the Burgalese people, thus putting the finishing touch to one of the most endearing and unique traditions of the Christmas season in Burgos.