Simbang Gabi evolves

A centuries-old tradition unfolds anew today — a balance of faith and festivity known as Simbang Gabi.

This spiritual journey spans nine enchanting dawn masses, commencing on this very day, the 16th of December, and crescendos in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Like an ancient melody echoing through time, this tradition is woven deeply into the Philippine culture, a cherished legacy from the days of Spanish colonial rule when fervent missionaries gifted the islands with the Christmas novena.

Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass," as it is affectionately called, also bears the charming moniker "Misa de Gallo," the "Rooster's Mass," evoking the image of dawn's herald, the rooster, crowing to call one and all to the sacred gathering.

It manifests the enduring spirit of Catholicism in the Philippines, which heralds the joyful anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. Attending all nine Masses is believed to honor a sacred vow and is a heartfelt way to seek blessings and divine intervention for personal aspirations.

The masses, usually held before daybreak, often commence at the tender hour of 4 or 5 in the morning. After the mass, a delightful scene comes to life as families and friends indulge in a traditional Filipino breakfast, savoring an array of delectable treats like bibingka (rice cake) and puto bumbong (purple sticky rice cake), prepared and sold by vendors outside the church.

Simbang Gabi is a religious observance and a social and cultural event that brings communities together. It is a time for families and friends to strengthen their bonds, and it serves as an occasion for Filipino communities in the Philippines and abroad to celebrate their cultural heritage.

No time restriction

Meanwhile, a Catholic archbishop on Thursday said the faithful can fulfill the Simbang Gabi devotion regardless of the time of day or night they attend Mass.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, according to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website, said the timing of the Mass doesn't diminish the spiritual significance of the devotion.

"The key word is simba (mass), not gabi (night). The indispensable part of this nine-day pre-Christmas tradition is the Eucharist," Villegas was quoted as saying. "No matter the time of day or night, it is the Lord who comes at every Mass to speak in the Liturgy of the Word and to feed us with His Body and Blood from the Eucharistic table."

Villegas described it as an "indult," a special privilege bestowed by the Vatican to celebrate votive Masses dedicated to the Virgin Mary at daybreak before Christmas, serving as a reverent expression of gratitude for the gift of the Catholic faith and as an earnest plea for its enduring presence in the Philippines.

Through the years, the time for celebrating Simbang Gabi evolved, particularly during the martial law curfew in the 1970s, which restricted dawn activities. Hence, it brought about a broader understanding that the essence of Simbang Gabi doesn't rest in the dawn hour but rather in the Mass itself.

Villegas encourages Catholics to focus on the "essentials," reminding them that the most important aspect of Simbang Gabi is not the time it is celebrated but rather their participation in the Mass.

Some churches have begun to hold evening Simbang Gabi masses, providing a welcoming glow for those unable to attend the early morning services. This celestial shift allows more to join in and embrace the warmth of this cherished Christmas custom.