Pasterka () is a midnight mass celebrated by Catholics during Christmas between December 24 and 25 across Poland. Christmas carols (from the Roman calendae) in the spirit of joy.
Celebrations
Although the Pasterka mass is closely associated with the specific time in Christian liturgy, it is not the actual hour of the night that predicates its meaning. According to the Polish ordinance of the Eucharist, the Pasterka is defined only by the type of prayer and biblical texts used during Christmas celebrations. It can be held more than once on December 24, in more than one location by the parish priest; at the church and at a nearby chapel. Pasterkas celebrated next to each other – earlier ones for the families with children, then at 9 and 10 p.m. for the youth, and a final one at 12:00 midnight, for the adults. even though formally they are called Wigilia masses by the episcopate as opposed to the grand mass at midnight. The exact hour of the birth of Christ is not written in the canonical gospels, which allows for choosing the ideal time for ritual prayer on that occasion. In the early hours, the worshippers can attend the Advent waiting mass, which does not excuse them from participating in the Nativity mass for the Birth of Christ later on. Traditionally, the service concludes with an Apostolic Blessing. The next day masses are interchangeable according to scripture, allowing for flexibility in choosing the religious services by individual parishioners. The Christmas Day begins with the early morning mass followed by daytime masses.