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What is a Shepherd’s Mass?

The Shepherds’ Mass captures the humble, urgent, joyful response to the Incarnation: when ordinary people—lowly shepherds—became the first earthly witnesses to God-with-us.

When most think of Christmas Mass, they picture the great Midnight Mass — but the celebration of Christ’s birth in the Church has often included three distinct Masses, each with its own name, moment, and spiritual focus. One of them is the Shepherds’ Mass. The Shepherds’ Mass is traditionally celebrated at dawn on Christmas Day. It commemorates the moment when angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds tending their flocks by night — and when those humble shepherds rushed to Bethlehem to adore the newborn Savior.

Why Three Masses — and What Each Means

Midnight Mass (“Angel’s Mass”) — celebrates the birth itself, in the darkness, with angels proclaiming “Glory to God.”

Shepherds’ Mass (Dawn / “Shepherds’ Mass”) — recalls the shepherds’ visit, their haste, their adoration, and their willingness to leave everything and seek Christ.

Daytime Mass (“King’s Mass” / Mass During the Day) — proclaims Christ to the whole world, highlighting His divinity revealed by the light of day.

The Shepherds’ Mass captures the humble, urgent, joyful response to the Incarnation: when ordinary people—lowly shepherds—became the first earthly witnesses to God-with-us.

What It Teaches Us Today

The dawn Mass issues a timeless invitation:

To put aside comfort and convenience — like the shepherds leaving their flocks — and hurry toward Christ.

To greet Christ not just in convenience or celebration, but with reverence and readiness, as light dawns on a new day.

To remember that sometimes the spiritual greatest encounters — the greatest revelations — come when we rise early, step out simply, and seek the Lord with open hearts.

Just like those shepherds, we, too, are invited to respond to the good news with haste, awe, and worship.