New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
ANIMALS IN CHURCH.
CEREMONIES AND BELIEFS IN EUROPE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE WORLD OF
BEASTS

pounded by Professor Garner, DR.. Wltchell, MT.
j. Frazer and other scientific men concerning the
language of birds, monkeys, and of the brute
creation in general excite far less ast0nshment IN
credulity and derison in Continental Europe than
in the United States and Great Britain For In
Germany, Russia, Austria, Spain and France the
pcasantry have retained the belief Of the old
Greek and Roman philosophers that the brutes
which we ignOrantly describe dumb animals"
speak language ineligible to each other, and
capable OF being mastered by mankind. The fact
that their speech seems to our ears to be mere
narticuate sounds constitutes no ground for the
inference that the latter devoid of any meaning
For two Cinnamon engaged in monosyllabic
argument, though they may be discussing the most
profound maxims of Confucius, are to an unedu-
Gated person no more Ineligible than couple of
sparrows twttering together under the caves of
barn.
Striking illustrations Of the prevalence Of this
belief, among the peasantry and among the super
stitiOus of the old world, in the superior order Of
the lngual and intellectual faculties of the brute
creation, are to be found in the prominent part
which animals are called upon to play in the
most solemn festivals Of the church, notably at
Christmas. | have had the opportunity of at
tending, both in the French provinces and in
Spain several of these quaint old ceremonies which
have taken place year after year for more than
twelve centuries And let me say right here that
there is nothing irrev6rent or in any way ir-
religious in the prominence accorded to the birds
and animals in these church celebrations. On
the contrary, it is destined to commemorate the
fact that the Saviour born in a stable, that lie
Graded in a manger and that His nativity
brought peace and goodwill not alone to man.
kind, but also to every living thing created by
God The animals having participated in the
JOY OF mankind at the birth Of Christ just nineteen
hundred years ago, it is only right-argue the
peasants, and argued, too, our forefathcrs in the
venerable and medieval past-that they should
participate in the annual celebration of the event
! remember in particular midnight mass which
| attended Christmas Eve in the church Of an
old Breton village. near one of my mother-in-law'S
chateauX where were spending the holidays
The sacred and storm-beaten cdifce when we
entered IL shortly before midnight was filled to
overlooking with kneellng and picturesquely ar
rayed peasants. The church very cold. For
the great door was Intentionally left wide open in
order to allow the CATTLE the sheep and the horses
outside 20 watch the proceedings. On the right
side Of the altar bower had been made Of fragrant
pine and fir branches, with great punches Of Grim
son-bcuied holly and waxy mistctoe glistening
among the verdrrc. Under this canopy there sat
on low stool young girl of great beauty, with
her long black hair falling in silky masses on her
loose white garments. In her arms she held an
infant only few weeks old Beside her stood
young man, wearing a gold-cmbroidered robe
and leaning on heavy staff, while an OK, a
donkey and four sheep were quietly munching corn
from couple of hangers. 1t was an ideal scene.
and confess that | rather resented the destruc-
ton Of the illusion when my mother-in-law whis-
pered into my car that the Holy Family were
represented by the son, the daughter-in-law and
the newly born grandchild OF one of her old farm
crs.
The celebration Of the mass began But IL was
not until after the Gospel had been read that the
animals began To take any active part in the
proceedings. A small chorster. concealed in the
cardboard figure of rooster, began 10 chant The
Puer natus est nobs" For to us child is born.
initiating clevery at the close OF every verse the
crow Of ohanticcer. The deep bass voice Of
another grown-up choristcr, hidden somewhere in
the 6r.branch bower above described. lowed the
response OF "Ubi?" Where p, which sounded as
if it proceeded from the on tenor chorister
concealed near the sheep baa the word Beth
lehem" and then baritone voice, apparently is
suing for the donkey, bravcd L" Eamus' let us
90 thithcr Thercupon the priest, his acolytes
and the entire congregation, myself included.
tree bower where the representation of the Nativ-
ity had been arranged. The priest, having
sprinklcd both the mother and child we'll as
the animals with holy water, we all followed the
kindly old rector to the chief entrance of the
church The scene there was one which l shall
never forget All the cattle and focls of the
village had been driven into the old churchyard
and stood there, crowded together IN the silvery
light of full moon, around the open portal
Standing on the topmost step of the porch, with
his acolytes and supplied choristers around him.
the venerable, white-haired priest, who had had
charge Of the parish for close upon forty years.
exclaimed God, in His mercy my dear children.
has seat me on this radiant night of the Nativity
70 bless your cattle and your tiocs, because ii is
only right that the animals who constitute your
greatest help and source of prosperity should
participate in the JOY which fills all our hearts.
Now lead your hocl,s past me-"
The shepherds and cattle.herdS then began to
drive the animals past us, while the rector, dip
ping the sprinkler into the silver ever Of holy
water showered the latter upon the oxen and
the sheen The clang OF the bells around their
necks. their lowing and their baaing, as well as
slc cries and words OF command of their drivers.
created tremendous din, rising above which ever
and anon were the solemn words OF the priest
" Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus Pater ct Filus
ct Spritus Sanctus,' the choristers bringing the
blessing to O close with rcsounding Amen" AS
I watched the animals vanishing one after the
other into the night it seemed to me as If l were
carried back TO the primitive times of the early
Christians, and as If our matter of-fact prosaical
and materiaistic nineteenth century was not a
reality, but only nightmare.
Everybody who has wintered in Spain will
recall to mind the "Missa del Gallo" or cock
mass celebrated In all the churches on Christ
mas eve or rather Christmas morning. The chan