Simbang Gabi, Part I

The Filipinos have two grand feasts dedicated to the two most important persons in our history of Salvation: the Flores de Mayo in May, paying homage to the Mother of Mankind we venerate, who gave birth to our Savior, and Christmas, celebrating the baby She gave birth to, the baby promised as our Redeemer, the Prince of Peace born in a humble cradle of hay, yet, to be known as the King of Kings.

The Simbang Gabi is a traditional  nine-day mass observance in the Philippines started in the 1600sThe Simbang Gabi originated in the early days of Spanish rule over the Philippines as a practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. It began in 1669.

This December 15, 2019 kicks off the nine-day Christmas novena that takes place daily in nine participating parishes, each scheduling one day of the nine days in their own church. The novena ends on December 23. the following day, the 24th, being the eve when the misa de Gallo will climax the festivities. in each parish.  But the December 15 multicultural mass to be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and presided by Archbishop Jose Gomez will precede the nine-day novena. T

Right now, preparations for the December 15 mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels are underway with the San Fernando Region assigned to oversee this year’s event. Under the aegis of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles headed by Rev.Fr. Albert H. Avenido, this year’s theme is geared towards the invitation “Come and Celebrate as We Encounter Christ; For We Are One Body, signifying the hope for unity among all people of whatever religion in the pursuit of peace and goodwill. 

            Chairperson, Raymond de Guzman, and co-chairperson, Patty Santiago, who are coordinating the preparations, announced that the event will feature a procession of representatives from all parishes of LA carrying parols, colorful lighted star lanterns which are traditional Filipino Christmas decors symbolizing the stars of Bethlehem. These parols will be blessed at the conclusion of the mass and brought back to their respective parishes. They will then be displayed in each parish throughout the nine-day novena throughout the Christmas season. Adding more color to these festivities will be attendees who are encouraged to wear their native costumes. It is not known whether there will be other surprise features. In the past there were dances performed as offerings to the newly-born baby.

            The whole of the Filipino community, Catholics or non-Catholics, young and old, in the three regions of Los Angeles, and members of other ethnic communities, are expected to jam-packed the Cathedral as in the past years. Youngsters, especially, are urged to come and savor the beauty of their Filipino sacred heritage and experience the joy of spiritual uplift and solidarity in welcoming our Jesus’ birthday.

          

Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo

Simbang Gabi ("Night Mass"; Spanish: Misa de Gallo, "Rooster's Mass", or Misa de Aguinaldo, "Gift Mass")^[2] is a novena of dawn Masses from December 16–24 (Christmas Eve). The Simbang Gabi is practised mainly by Catholic and Aglipayans, with some Evangelical Christian and independent Protestantchurches having adopted the practise of having pre-Christmas dawn services. Attending the Masses is meant to show devotion to God and heightened anticipation for Christ's birth, and folk belief holds that God grants the special wish of a devotee that hears all nine Masses.

Morning observance of Simbang Gabi this holiday begins as early as 03:00 PST, while in some parishes, anticipated Masses begin the previous evening at 20:00 PST or as early as 19:30 PST in others. After hearing Mass, Catholic families buy traditional Filipino holiday fare for breakfast outside the church and eat it either within the church precincts or at home. Vendors offer many native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake, cooked using coal burners above and under); putò bumbóng (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, buttered then sprinkled with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat). Drinks include coffee, salabát (ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick, Spanish-style hot chocolate). Some Aglipayan churches invite the congregation to partake of the "paínit" (literally, "heater"), a post-Mass snack of mostly rice pastries served with coffee or cocoa at the house of the Mass sponsor. The bibingka and putò bumbóng are also served to those attending the anticipated evening Masses together with dinner.