Truffle Mass: a Ceremony, Auction & Lunch
Each year in the walled medieval village of Richerenches, the third Sunday in January is the time of a very special Mass: the Truffle Mass, which is devoted to Saint Antoine, the patron saint of truffle growers. The event is highly anticipated, and lunch is always sold out.
The Mass (given in the Provencal language) starts at 10:30 a.m. in the village church – and by this time, the church has already been filled for hours! A huge screen is installed just outside the doors for those who didn’t get a seat inside. During the Offertory, truffles are placed in a basket. At the end, members of the Confraternity of the Black Diamond parade out of the church in full ceremonial costume (quite a sight!), carrying a basket full of truffles. They make their way to Town Hall where they auction off the truffles donated during the Offertory.
Once Mass is complete, members of the Truffle Guild lead everyone to the Hôtel de Ville. This is where the master of ceremonies begins the auction! The auctioneer performs a boisterous stand-up, waving various truffles about, selling the biggest one on its own and smaller ones in pairs and trios. All proceeds benefit the restoration of the 12th century village church.
The Confraternity then offers an aperitif to all those in attendance: rose wine served in a plastic cup. This incredible day culminates with lunch where every course features a very special ingredient…truffles, of course!
Chatting with a member of the Fraternity of the Black Diamond in full ceremonial costume.
The Richerenches 12th century church.
It is exceptionally well kept.
Profit from the auctioned truffles will go to the restoration of a painting depicting St. Denis (a cephalophore saint) holding his head.
The screen installed in the church square for those who do not have a seat in the church.
The procession exits the church escorted by a member of the Guild.
The official presentation of the truffles collected at the Offertory.
A close inspection.
An even closer inspection!
The parade starts through the village to City Hall (La Mairie).
Calibrating the scale…I think they forgot to weigh the empty basket beforehand.
The Auctioneer/Master of Ceremonies.
Smaller truffles are sold in bundles of 2 or 3.
These two are a very nice size!
And sold to this bidder.
I bought these 3! I prefer the small ones.
Time for a toast! The auction is going very well; the crowd is generous! All this excitement makes one thirsty!
Only one of the 2 glasses I am holding is mine! One is Myriam’s, who took the photo from the second floor of City Hall.
Got this one, too.
The very last 2 – a big pair!
I loved this tool (a “cavadou” used to harvest truffles) so much that I just had to buy it.
Definitely great quality; and the priest agrees.
Here’s a really nice one.
The annual truffle lunch to celebrate a year of successful harvest.
Here’s the famous truffle omelette to begin lunch.
Truffled swiss chard (yes!) soup with its gorgeous garnish.
The palate cleanser: truffle sorbet.
The main course was truffle mash potatoes with a duck Magret in a wine and truffle reduction.
Baked Camembert stuffed with 2 layers of truffles and a salad garnish.
The event ends with La Coupo Santo, a traditional Provencal hymn written by Frédéric Mistral.
3 Comments to Truffle Mass: a Ceremony, Auction & Lunch
by Amy
On February 1, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Those truffles were huge!! I love reading about your trips and adventures…we get to live vicariously through you
by Christina Williamson
On February 1, 2012 at 4:26 pm
I LOVE truffles – in their true form or in an oil. The camembert just made me drool. Thanks for sharing!
by Brenda Valeriote
On February 2, 2012 at 5:58 pm
WOW…amazing photos of a true gem from nature !! Thanks for sharing!