Peio Bordagaray, for twelve years…
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Peio Bordagaray, pastor of Sainte-Marie for twelve years, one of the components with Saint-Michel and Saint-Joseph, of the parish of Father Edouard-Cestac, says he is happy with this opportunity. “There was a first approach three years ago to the French radio television committee, which produces this show. But a few months later, there was the pandemic. About three weeks ago, I was contacted again. I asked the mayor of Anglet if we could accept. The response was, of course, positive. »
Don’t change anything
Before that, Peio Bordagaray also consulted his parish committee, which welcomed the proposal. “And when I announced it, during the mass, three weeks ago, there are people who applauded in the church. For our community, it’s a small event, smiles the priest. Last week, two people from the production house came for two days. To talk about the liturgy and take cues for the cameras. Fortunately, I have around me a dynamic team that immediately mobilized. I was even asked not to speak to the “Parisians” of the production house any longer, because I did not speak to them well enough”, laughs the priest of Sainte-Marie.
For the conduct of the mass, that day, the parishioners should not be confused, despite the presence of imposing production trucks, which must arrive three days earlier. “At first, I thought it would be difficult to deal with them. But in fact, not at all. We were even expressly asked not to change anything. Sunday March 6, there will be the same people as usual to welcome us, ”says Peio Bordagaray. Only small peculiarity, the men’s choir of Saint-Michel will come on this occasion.
Waiting for August 15
This live broadcast of the mass at Sainte-Marie will allow a wide audience to discover the only building in Anglet listed as a Historic Monument, with its stained glass windows signed by Hendayais Maumejan and its monumental fresco of the Virgin at the child, in the choir, by Berthe Grimard, daughter of Bayonne watercolourist André Grimard.
The man of the Church is not afraid to evolve in front of the cameras. “I’m more afraid that some parishioners will think they’ll be better off in front of their television set,” he jokes. And the arrival of the cameras of the “Day of the Lord” is not his only concern.
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