The San Antonio Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 324, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 9, 1923 Page: 47 of 76
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I Los Pastores Miracle Play of the Shepherds ।
। Will Be Presented by Main Avenue High School ।
Los Pastores the nine hundrel year
Miracle play which has been pre-
sented in San Antonio for the last two
hundred years will be preseirted here
this year for the first time in the Eng-
lish language.
Students of the Main Avenue high
school will present the passion play
December 13 and 14 matinee and
night at the high school auditorium.
Pupils have been practicing for th'c
play for weeks and the presentation
will be staged under the direction of
a special staff
Mrs. Esther Perez Carvajal of Main
Avenue high school an authority on
the Miracle plays has written an in-
teresting account of the history of the
play as it has lived in different parts
of the world since the Eleventh cen-
tury. Mrs. Carvajal has made the ar-
rangement of the play which will be
given the students at the high school.
Her explanation of Los Pas toy es fol-
lows :
The early Christians did not cele-
brate the date of the Saviour’s nativ-
ity ; they observed. Epiphany or
Christ’s baptism in' the Jordan. To-
wards the end of the Fourth Cen-
tury the Church desiring to supplant
the heathen worship of the Sun the
birthday of which was celebrated on
te day of the winter solstice decidel
to set the twenty-fifth of December
as the date of the Messiah’s birth.
Very wisely the church took over
many of the pagan rites which could
not be rooted out modifying and
transforming them into Christian wor-
ship. Thereafter the one great aim
of the church was so to emphasize
the Nativity that it would become the
greatest day of • the church calenlar
and it was in the church that the first
Christmas plays were performed.
At first the altar was used as the
scene of action then the nave and
the choir and lastly the whole church.
As early as the Eighth Ctntury.
mass was celebrated over a manger in
the church of Santa Maria Maggiore
in Rome. Gradually the dialogues and
song* used in the church ritual at
Christmas time were made more real-
istic so that by the Eleventh Century
they had developed into a regular
drama as shown by the Office of the
Shepherds performed on Christmas
eve before the Midnight Mass.
The manger was placed on the al-
tar and beside it the image of the
Virgin. Five clergymen wearing the
almice or linen gown represented the
shepherds; they carried crooks and
had real dogs. Following were the at-
tendants with musical instruments
and rustic offerings. Some of the shep-
herds pretended to sleep and some to
watch their flock when they were
suddenly aroused by the blast of a
trumpet and a boy dressed as an
angel announced the birth of Christ
from the pulpit. Other boys posted in
the galleries began to sing while the
shepherds walked towards the crib
and were met by two priests wearing
the long white dalmatica and repre-
senting two nurses. They asked the
shepherds whom they sought in the
manger. “We seek the Saviour Jesus
Christ 1 * they answered. The two
priests drew a curtain to show the
Child Jesus to the shepherds and bade
them proclaim the Nativity to the
world. The shepherds knelt in adora-
tion and saluting Mary returned
through the church singing “Alleluia.
The mass began immediately after.
The' Roman Version.
The first extant; regular drama per-
formed at Christmas belongs to the
Abbev of St. Benoit-sur-Loire; the
play is callel “Herode.” In this play
the shepherds describe how they found
the Babe lying between two dumb ani-
mals. Then the three kings make their
appearance with their gifts.
About the year 1220. St. Francis
of Assisi asked permission of the lope
to erect a manger in the castle ot
Grescia. He put hay in a manger; then
had an ass and an ox brought in. Ine
place was illuminated with many
lights and resounded with the songs
chanted by monks. Mass was said on
a dais above the manger and St. i ran-
cis himself preached to the people on
the Child Christ calling Him the
Bambina de Belen.
With the erection of the presepia
at Grescia the cult of the Infant Sa-
viour became even more popular.
Christmas plays and mysteries in-
creased a hundred fold and’ the cus-
tom of erecting a manger in the homes
and of speaking and singing before at
spread rapidly.
The performances assumed a more
worldly character. They were no lon-
ger held in the church and although
both clergy and laymen continued to
take part in the mysteries by degrees
scenes of buffoonery crept in to such
an extent that by the middle of the
Thirteenth Century the clergy were
forbidden to take part in the per-
formances which took place in the
church yards and streets; by the end
of the century the representation ot
the plays passed from priests to peo-
ple; the lower order of priests only
continued to take prominent parts
even down to the Sixteenth Century.
The church had invented miracle
phivs to attract the people and to
etcite them to devotion. Ibe people
now wrote and acted them for their
amusement and instruction.
The Pastores which in the church
had been performed as a prelude to
the mass was in many cases made
part of a drama belonging to the Epip-
hahv and called "Herodes” "btella
or “The Three Kings.” The “Mistcno
de los Reyes Magos” of Spain is one
of the two earliest religious plays in
modern European language. The
"Misterio de Elche” performed in the
Middle Ages can still be seen in that
city. These two old plays were fol-
lowed by Jorgi Monrique’s “La Repre-
sentation del Nacimiento" written to
be sung in the Monastery of Calabaza-
nos where the author's sister was the
Superior. The characters were the Vir-
gin. St. Joseph St. Gabriel. St.
Maechal St. Rafael an angel and
three shepherds.
Different in Spam.
In Spain the pastoral plays which
treated only of the shepherds were far
more popular than the mystery plays.
In the Fifteenth Century Juan de la
Encina wrote two eclogues which
were acted in the palace of the Duke
of Alba at the end of the Midnight
Mass.
His shepherds aae named after thr
Evangelists Juan Mateo Lucas and
Marco. They sit around a fire play
dice for chestnuts swear and discuss
mutters when an Angel appears an-
nounces the birth of Christ and they
set off for Bethlehem. The eclogue
•nds with a villancico. The shepherds
of his scond eclogue are more 1*
shepherds of the Spanish mountains.
They complain of the weather tlmy
talk about the death of sacristan. MW
they are playing a game with chest-
nuts when the Angel shows himself.
Thev go to adore the Child taking
him a Kid butter eggs and other proe-
enta
Gil Vicente a Portuguese has his
pastures discuss the friars and her-
mits their breviaries and their calen-
SUNDAY.
The Madonna is Miss Anne Beth Price daughter of Mrs. W. C. Price.
320 Army boulevard. The angel is Miss Rowena Johnson niece of Mr
and Mrs. Harry Rogers 360 Kings Highway.
ders; after making the sign of the
cross they fall asleep. While they are
sleeping Angels begin to sing. One. of
the pastores Gil rouses Bras telling
him what he has heard. Bras how-
ever does not believe his friend Gil
“Are you sure it was not the crick-
ets?” he asks. Gil ’is too much im-
pressed not to be certain; he calls the
others and sends them to the village
to buy a pipe a guitar and a baby's
whistle for the Infant.
The sacrel Irama continued to be
developed in Spain longer than in any
other country. Ixipe de Vega nnd Cal-
deron raising that form of drama ro
its highest plane and their plays with
Nativity scenes were performed in
Spain as late as the Seventeenth Cen-
tury.
English Version Humorous.
It would be hard 4o find more hu-
n orous shepherd th-n those of thi
English Nativity’ plays. The plays
were not performed at Christmas
time; they were part of the Miracle
cycles given at Whitsuntide and Cor-
pus Christi. The hardships and
grumblings of the shepherds. their
jokes games and quarrels are all in-
I reduced in their clownish talk and
action;.
The Chester shepherds enjoy a sup-
per of sour milk onions garlick leek
and green cheese; they have a quarrel
with the boy Trowe. who wrestle and
throws them all. When they hear the
song of the nngc thy try to imi-
tate it; they start off for Bethlehem-
arrive at the stable and offer a bell
a flask a tpoon to eat pottage w th
ard a cape. T-owle. not as rich as his
r asters — they have not even paid
him his wages—offers a pair of his
wife’s old hose. The other boys bring
a bottle a hood and a pipe; while
the last boy gives a nnt hook saying
as he presents it:
“To pull downe apples pay res and
ploomcs
Ould Joseph shall not need to hurt his
thombes.
Because thou hast not plentye of
cromes
I give thee here my nut hooke.”
In the York play which is the most
dignified and devout of the English
cyces. the Nativity pageant is very
beautiful and tender. A subdued hu-
mor enters in the shepherd’s scene;
they try to imitate the song of the
Angel and one of them claims
“I can singe itt alls wclc as he."
They take to the child a brooch
with a little tin bell attached a horn
spoon and some nuts threaded on a
ribbon.
On the road to Bethlehem the Co-
ventry Shepherds recall the song of the
angel. One of them declares that it
was “glc” “gio” “glory” while an
other equally as certain answers
“I have that song fful wele i-mum
In my wytt weyl it is wrought.
It was gle gio glas glum.”
These shepherds have not brought
any material gifts but hail the Child
as the “Flower of Flowers.” as the
“Prince of Paradise" and bid Him
farewell “as the King of all."
The Townley cycle lias two shep-
herd plays both famous for their hu-
mor. The shepherds of the first play
are a group of Yorkshire rustics. Gyb.
John Horne. Slow Pace and Jack
Garcia. They grumble and quarrel and
enjoy a feast of the scraps that each
hns begged during the day. After say-
ing their prayers they go to sleep.
When aroused by the song of the
"Gloria” they stop to discuss and to
imitate it. At the manger they hesi-
tate to enter and push one another
forward. Tbfcir conduct changes the
moment they are in the presence of
the Infant. With the greatest rever-
ence and love they leave Him a little
spruce' coffer a ball and a bottle.
The delight of the spectators with
the rogue Mak of the second play.can
well be imagined especially in the
scene where he and his wife try to
hide the sheen which Mak has stolen.
From the Eleventh to the Fifteenth
Century Christmas plnys were much
alike in Europe. The French enjoyed
pastoral plays in which the shepherds
indulged in much feasting drinking
and quarreling; their clown being rep-
resented by a shepherd called Rtf-
foart.
In strange contrast to the simple
shepherds of tho English and Spanish
plays are the shepherds of a Miracle
play of Ronen performed in the mar-
ket place of that city. Priests and citi-
zens of all classes had a part in this
type of play.
Germans Have It.
Fernan Caballero’s “La Noche de
la Navidad” describes the play in a
village church. The pastores enter the
church very solemnly holding their
gifts. After adoring the Child they
dance before the altar with slow and
dignified movements until the arrival
of the three kings. The kings are rep-
resented by the richest men in the
village who mounted on horseback
follow a star which leads them to the
door of the church. There they dis-
mount and enter to offer their gifts.
In the German provinces boys and
girls disguised as pastores and pas-
toras perform plays from house to
house. Usually the characters are the
Child Christ St. Nicholas St Joseph
the Virgin and Herod several angels
and the devil. The devil is the clown
of the play. Before the j>erformance he
goes through the village blowing his
horn. If not the devil then Ruprecht
acts his part frightening young and
old.
The Spanish missionaries who cross-
ed the Atlantic had before them the
same problems of the early church
to supplant ancient heathen rites ami
to impress the world of converts with
the mysteries of the new religion.
Miracle plays were performed in
Amerjca when Catholicism was estab-
lished in. Mexico.
An account of “The Aloration de
los Reyes” acted out by the Indians
gives us- this picture. The Indians had
constructed a rude stable to represent
the manger of Belen in the main
courtyard of the church almost against
the belfry; within it they ha placed
an image of the Infant of the Virgin
and of St. Joseph. The stable was
made to appear very poor being con-
structed of sticks with smaller ones
for a roof and all covered with moss.
Herod surrounded by a large retinue
THE SAN ANTONIO LIGHT.
in very serious and majestic attitudes
sat within a shed covered with
branches of trees and built a short
distance from the manger.
Indians Played It.
The three kings were seen descend-
ing from the top of one of the neigh-
boring hills. They were mounted on
horses and traveled very slowly be-
cause as kings it behooved them not
to hasten.
shortly in advance of the kings
walked a standard bearer and behind
them followed an Indian more than
SO years of age. carrying on his back
a chicuitle. which contained the gifts
for the Infant.
While the kings were coming -down
the mountain and it took them more
than two hours a group of angels
appeared singing and dancing and
bowing low before the Child in the
most humble manner. Their songs
were in the Indian language. Then
came a group of shepherds very poorly
clad carrying stout crooks nnd pouch-
es full of pumpkins and other things.
They stood together in the middle of
the yard. Suddenly an angel appeared
on a little wooden tower-constructed
for that purpose in the court yard
and frol the tower the nhgel sang
“Gloria in . Excelsis.” When the
astounded shepherds heard the song
they dropped senseless on tho ground.
The Angel called to them very kindly
using' the Indian language. telling
them the glad news until they recov-
ered.
Then they rose joyfully and hurried
to the table to offer the Child the
presents that they hnd brought a kid.
some cakes and a hood. Their gifts
were presented with such reverence
and devotion that it touched the hearts
of the people and moved them to pray-
er. • After that they began to sing and
to dance and to use their crooks for
high jumps and whirls. They called
hack questions and answers as they
jumped and wrestled always repent-
ing joyfully the words of the Angel
“Gloria. Gloria.” Their performances
with the crooks wore wonderful to be-
hold. hut whnt amused the people
most was the peculiar names and witty
sayings that the leader had for each
one as be called the Indians out to go
through some particular act. when
they say the kings nupVoachine. they
formed n circle leaving two Indians
inside; the latter caught one after
another of the shepherds as the/
danced around in a circle. When all
the Indians were enught the scene of
the shepherds ended nnd the plar con-
tinued in a very solemn nnd devout |
manner.
How it Came Here.
As tho aim of the missionary was
to instruct nnd to win the Indians
tho plays neted by them or in their
presence were made more attractive
with songs nnd dnnces so that the con-
verts would not miss the song nnd
dance to which they "hnd been accus-
tomed in their old religion.
These miracle nlays spread through
Mexico and the Pnstores. as n separ-
ate nlay became n combination of n
shepherd's play and morality play
with tho introduction of first one
devil later eight or nine. Lueifer nnd
his attendants. Satan nnd Lttzbel be-
side smnller devils representing tho
seven capital sins also appeared.
It is this play of Shepherds nnd
Devils that in still seen in some of the
out-of-tbe-wnv nucbla in Mexico the
ncoplo of ’tht'.'Mt’W’fltteHOmttig W
knowledge of 'the Fastdles or rheir
performances.
Probably from Mexico the plays
found their way to Texas; the Texans
however claim that flic p.-storelas were
brought from "Spain by the Missionar-
ies and that they were well-known
to the Canary Islanders who settled
in San Antonio: but texts like those
of Mexico and Texas are not found
in Spain.
M. R. Cole in speaking of the San
Antonio Pastores says: “ When ‘Los
Pastores' is compared with any of
the Mexican pastorclas. its superior-
ity both in design and execution is im-
mediately evident. We have con-
sulted among other authorities on
Mexican literature tho scholarly works
of Icazalceta and Pimental. but no-
where do we find mention of n shep-
herd’s play resembling tho 'Los Pas-
tores. ‘Los Pastores' may have been
an adaptation made by the priests
from certain Spanish dramas which
were popular nt the time.”
They Like Lazy Bartolo.
The Pastores themselves although
considering the performance as a semi-
reiigious ceremony prefer to act a
Nacimiento in any homo or ball for
in the chapel they are obliged to omit
the comic element and no shepherd is
willing to restrain his feelings during
(he due! scene or to give up the lazy
Bitrtolo the perinola game and the
jokes and funny antics oPthe old bent
hermit.
Thht is tho charm of the “Pastores”
when performed in n private home. It
is an intermixture of dignity and fun
of earnest prayer and excitement. The
spectators follow; a» devoutly as if
they were—atWfiding services in n
church. They look nt the devil as. if
deeply impressed with his greatness
for Lucifer never forgets that he is a
prince nnd acts his part accordingly:
but in tlie duel scene between Lucifer
and the angel they do not hesitate to
encourage the latter with crios of “Go
at him St. Gabriel!” “Show the devil
what stuff your sword is made of!”
Likewise with the lazy fellow Bar-
tolo; if he plays his part well and
he usually docs he causes the greatest
merriment. That scene ended the act-
ors and the audience fall back into
a quiet tone until the shepherds ap-
pear before the stable when for %
time all is seriousness and reverence.
All Are Made Better.
As each shepherd rises to offer his
gift he asks his companions to sing
for him bfore he approaches the
Child. Sometimes he dances while the
others sing and his awkwardnes or
lightness may be greeted with all sorts
of outspoken commchts and criticisms.
The final offering ami cradle rock-
ing with its quaint lullaby is as ism-
ple and tender as a heart filled with
the love of a child cau make it and
at the end the audience the shepherds
the angel and no deubt the devil
himself arc all the better for the act
of love to the Nino Dios.
In 1908 Miss Sarah King publisshed
an interesting little booklet on the San
Antonio Pastores. In this she shows
that a number of pious players here
in our city consecrate their lives to the
production of this shepherd play. So
the pupils of Main Avenue high school
are simply introducing into a school
atmosphere a drama already well-
known to the citizens of San Anto-
nia.
Infantry’ Company Inspected.
Lockhart. Tex. Dec. A—Col. W. S.
Faulkner instructor of infantry of
San Antonio has inspected Company
B 141st Infantry located here and
found the company in first class con-
dition. The company has a full com-
plement of officers and men and a
splendid armory well located.
Well Hold Your
Purchases for Later Delivery!
FURNITURE GIFTS are more and more popular each year for Christmas as
they have the additional value of utility and durability as well as beauty and
refinement. Our displays of furniture novelties and the more dignified regu-
lar pieces will be a really pleasant surprise for you. You will find many gift sug-
gestions that ycu had not thought of before among the variety of new things we
have to show you.
Gate-Leg Tables
$21.50
Though very dainty in ap-
pearance these tables are
strongly made and beautifully
finished in mahogany.
Handsome Three-Piece Bedroom Suite
MAHOGANY FINISH—A very attractive suite! The Dresser has very
targe plate mirror. The chiffprcttc provides plenty of drawer space
and a handsome bow end bed completes the suite. Dull mahog- Cl IC CH
any finish. A r. al value At
CHILD’S CRIBS
$9.00
Give baby a crib for Christmas
White enameled cribs with drop side
An unusual value at this very low price
A Convenient Fea-
ture for Every Home
Artistic telephone tables
and chairs can be bad in
either walnut mahogany
or golden oak finish. We
have many styles ranging
in price from $4.50.
SPECIAL FOR THIS WEEK
FOLDING CARD
TABLES sPXi.OO
Are very sturdily built strongly braced
and have green leatherette tops when not
In uee they can be conveniently folded.
THREE-PIECE DUOFOLD SUITES
A USEFUL GIFT FOR THE HOME—Handsome three-piece
duofold suite consisting of duofold which with a simple mo-
tion can be transformed into a comfortable bed—a chair and
rocker. All three pieces upholstered in blue ‘^''7/1
imitation Spanish leather At* *
CEDAR CHESTS
$14.50
For the young girl as a hope chest
and for the home as a place for safe
keeping furs and fine clothing. Shown in
many styles and sizes.
SEVEN-PIECE DINING ROOM SET
Can you think of a gift more useful —that will' be appreciated by every
member of the family? Set consists of oblong extension table and six dining
chairs upholstered in good grade blue imitation Spanish leather $59.50
bppcially reduced to w
N «
W.WMOOPEHEAD
fiEN’L. manager
121-23 Main Ave. South of Houston
CONVENIENT CREDIT TERMS!
SEWING
CABINETS
$13.90
The woman who does her
own sewing will appreciate
one of these handy Martha
Washington sewing cabinets
beautifully finished in
brown mahogany.
Here is a very practical gift for the
home and an ideal piece of furniture
for the bed room without a closbt.
Shown in the mahogany finish.
DECEMBER 9 1923.
Smoking Stands
As Low As
$12.00
Here is a gift that every
imoker will appreciate. Many
styles—the prices range up .
wards from as low as $1.98.
SPECIAL!
COSTUMERS
$3.50
Of most practical use in
the small reception hall. Are
equipped with four metal
double grip grasps. Golden
or mahogany finish. An ex-
tra value.
Handsome Chifforobes
$42.00
SPINET DESKS
$26.00
These Spinet desks which
we show are exact replicas
of the old-style Spinet.
Shown in the rich brown
ziahogany finish.
tables $6.50
Thess tables ars st an
attractive period d-sigs
finished la walnut sr
mahogany. *
13-C
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The San Antonio Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 324, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 9, 1923, newspaper, December 9, 1923; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1628974/m1/47/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .