Then, the shepherds' procession takes place to the sound of the Carol La Luno es Levado... Arriving in front of the altar, the angels sing, in Provençal, the Gloria.
The baile pastre (chief of the shepherds) pays homage, the first to, to the baby Jesus whom the priest presented to him. After him come the shepherdesses, until the baile-pastre comes back to end the ceremony, with a new homage and the final salutation: silence, accompanied only by the airs from the galoubet pipe and tambourine. The choir then sings the La Chato Avuglo (account of the miraculous cure of a young blind girl).
Then comes the moment for the Elevation : the baile-pastre approaches the altar holding the offertory lamb in his arms. After the Provençal hymn Armado Celèsto (invocation to the Angels) Communion is given to the faithful.
The midnight mass finishes with the Christmas blessing. A last time, the choir sings, in Provençal, the Carol Pastre Baussen, expressing the joy of the shepherds of Baux de Provence. |