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Shepherds’ Mass: A Bold Stand Against Papal Prohibition
Since the **19th century**, the cherished shepherds’ mass composed by **Antoni Vaqué** around 1860 has withstood the test of time, even in the face of **papal prohibition**! It continues to be performed annually at the **La Llacuna rooster mass**, a tradition fiercely upheld in the town of Anoia and two courageous parishes in the Philippines—an undeniable testament to cultural resilience.
This cherished ritual remains shrouded in mystery; the origins of the shepherds’ mass are murky, but one thing is for certain: year after year, the parish choir—which meets exclusively for this event—sings this mass for two voices in a continuous performance. **Xavier Bayer**, a dedicated researcher at the Center d’Estudis Llacunencs, reveals five stirring movements from the master organist of the **Bethlehem church** in Barcelona: the **Kyrie, Gloria, Creed, Agnus Dei,** and **Saint**. A powerful reminder that tradition is being preserved against all odds!
“Despite the heavy-handed attempts to suppress it, this mass is a vital connection to our collective identity!”
The Struggle Against Smothering Tradition
In 1903, **Pope Pius X** waged war on this type of music, prohibiting women from singing in parish choirs—arguably an affront to the heart of community and culture. This suppression was supposedly due to difficulties in understanding the lyrics of prayers over the chaotic din of polyphony. Instead, many have turned back to the sanctity of **Gregorian chant**, stripping the richness from our sacred musical heritage.
The **Vaqué mass** is a beautiful blend of *sacred and traditional music*, embodying the spirit of the people. In La Llacuna, the enduring presence of fragments from the song **”He us from the sea,”** juxtaposed against flourishing **Latin liturgy**, provides a symbolic stronghold against modernity’s relentless assault on tradition.
Colonial Echoes in the Philippines
In **Santa Rita** and **Mabalacat**, provinces in the Philippines, the shepherds’ mass thrives against the backdrop of colonial history—still alive and relevant. Each year, a shepherd carries a sheep to be blessed on Christmas Eve, cementing the tight-knit bond between their agricultural roots and their spiritual beliefs. It’s this fertile connection to the land that has likely stayed the hand of the parish priest against the papal prohibition!
In a fascinating international twist, Filipino musicologist **Michael Robert M. Cervantes** reached out in **2021**, expressing interest in Antoni Vaqué’s mass. He confidently connects its performance in Pampanga to colonial reminiscences, showcasing how these traditions have transcended borders and continue to flourish. We must not ignore these cultural inheritances that connect us all!
The dedicated parish choir under maestro **Oriol Carceller** will enchant listeners as they perform this timeless tradition. Joined by musician and pedagogue **Marcel Casellas**, who brilliantly revived this mass at the **Barcelona Tradicionàrius Festival** in **2024**, they are breathing fresh life into an age-old ceremony.
This year’s event is powered by a coalition of local entities, the **Piera-Capellades Archpriest,** and the collaboration of the La Llacuna City Council and the Regional Council of l’Anoia, emphasizing a robust community effort to **revive and consolidate** this powerful tradition.
It is through the **shepherds’ mass** that we find strength in our heritage, highlighting the collective will to honor the past while facing the future. **The time has come to embrace our traditions unapologetically!** Let’s keep the spirit alive!
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