The Elbert County tribune., 1906-01-18
New Years Blessing
Of the fiO(ks

In travelling through the south of
France at this season, we chanced up
on a curious ceremony attached to
Sylvester night, or New Years eve.
1t was the blessing of the iocks and
herds of animals, which were driven
by the peasants of the surrounding
country to little church, lying high in
the Cevennes mountains, there TO have
mass said over them by the priest.
These herds constitute a greater
part of the wealth of the simple in
habitants of the region. and every New
Years eve they bring their precious
animals to receive a blessing for the
new year. All that day. in passing
through the country. we saw herds of
oxen and COWS, goats. sheep and pigs,
driven along the road by their owners
n be in readiness for the mass 10 take
place in the evening.
Such animals as they were Such
glossy-hided oxen and cows. Such
white sheep and clean pigs, Evident
ly the peasants had taken the greatest
care in washing and brushing their
charges into proper attire. In many
cases | saw women driving goats or
sheep trimmed with ribbons or decor
ated with paper flowers. and there
were bullocks garlanded with flowers
thrown around their necks. One Of
these, a young bullock whose snow
white hide shone out in contrast to a
yoke of pink paper roses, took fright
at our conveyance and broke away
from the young peasant girl who led
81, %. /. ha
garland around his neck in trying to
restrain him, when. alas. the paper
roses which had been her pride were
scattered in the mud CT the highway.
The church was but poor affair.
both outside and inside. The outer
walls were moss-grown, and the bell
which tolled for mass in the square
steeple was cracked and discordant. At
its sound the animals began TO bleat
and below and try to escape down the
steep incline. All the mountaineers
who could leave their animals crowd
ed into the little church. Each held a
lighted candle of coarse, yellow wax,
which threw its CLEAN up into the stol-
Id face of the peasant as he sang. AT
the end of the mass. the cure once
iHoit uelu HUI tue HOSl anu CHdntlnR
the Magnificat, walked slowly to the
portico, trailing his mantle of brocade,
lighted by the candles of the congrega-
ton. who followed. Column after col
umn Of cattle. driven by their guard
ians, now approached the portico
where the old priest stood, and crowd
ed the frozen turf before the door.
The priest pronounced a benedic-
ton, and instantly all the people, in
cluding the drivers and shepherds out
beside the flocks. fell upon their knees.
The moon glittered high above the
dark mountain slopes and. aided by
the candle lights, revealed clearly the
long polished horns and heaving sides
of the oxen, the glossy coats and the
white woolly skins of the goats and
sheep. High above the noise and
tumult rose again the voice of the old
priest. my children" he said devout-
ly. God in his goodness and mercy
sends me, his unworthy servant, to
bless your flocks, according to an an
cient custom of our mountains, SO that
these animals by whose aid you live.
may join in our religious ceremonies
which usher in the new year. Let us,
therefore, sing loud hosanna in
praise of the ever-merciful Lore. ~
Chautauqua Magazine.