Feast of the Ass
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The Feast of the Ass (Latin: Festum Asinorum) is a medieval Christian festival observed on January 14 that commemorates the role of the donkey in biblical history, particularly its association with the Holy Family's flight into Egypt and Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The celebration originated in medieval Europe, especially in France and Germany, as part of the Feast of the Fools tradition during the Christmas season. The ass held symbolic importance in Christian tradition: it was the animal that carried Mary and the infant Jesus into Egypt, and it was the beast upon which Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The festival developed from the Biblical account and from the prophecy of Zechariah: 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.' While the more ribald aspects of the festival faded after the Council of Basel in 1431, the symbolic honoring of the donkey persisted in many local traditions.
History
The Feast of the Ass emerged in medieval France around the 11th century, particularly associated with the Feast of Fools celebrations held between Christmas and Epiphany. The most famous version was celebrated in Beauvais, France, where a donkey was led into the church during Mass. The practice drew criticism from Church authorities for its irreverent elements, such as braying responses during the service. The Council of Basel (1431) condemned the excesses of the Feast of Fools, leading to the suppression of the most theatrical versions. However, the symbolic aspect survived in the form of the 'Prose of the Ass' (Orientis partibus), a medieval hymn sung in honor of the donkey. The festival reflected the medieval Church's use of dramatic ritual to teach biblical narratives to largely illiterate congregations.
How It's Celebrated
Historically, the Feast of the Ass featured a young woman riding a donkey into the church to represent Mary's flight into Egypt. The congregation would respond to the priest's blessings with 'hee-haw' sounds. A special hymn, 'Orientis partibus,' was sung praising the donkey's virtues. In modern revivals, particularly in parts of France, Germany, and Mexico, the festival is celebrated with folk processions featuring decorated donkeys, storytelling about the Nativity, and blessings of working animals. In some Latin American communities, the day includes the 'Day of the Little Donkey' with children's parades. The celebration serves as a reminder of humility and service embodied by the animal.