| Pasterka, the Midnight Mass | |
|---|---|
 Pasterka celebrated in Aleksandrów Łódzki, 2009 | |
| Classification | Catholic Church |
| Theology | New Testament |
| Region | Poland |
| Other name(s) | Shepherds' Mass |
Pasterka (Polish: [pasˈtɛrka]) is a midnight mass celebrated by Roman Catholics during Christmas between December 24 and 25 across Poland.[1] A close translation of the name would be the "Shepherds' Mass" (literally: 'that which belongs to the shepherds' in Polish), in reference to the Biblical shepherds, who were visited by an angel and told of the birth of Christ. During the Pasterka Mass, Polish people sing traditional kolędy,[2] Christmas carols (from the Roman calendae) in the spirit of joy.[1]
- ^ a b Ann Hetzel Gunkel. "Pasterka, the Midnight Mass". Polish Christmas. Polish Christmas Traditions. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ Roman Mazurkiewicz (2012). "Z Dziejów Polskiej Kolędy". Opracowania (in Polish). Staropolska On-line. Retrieved December 19, 2012.