‘SIMBANG GABI’

The traditional Simbang Gabi (Misa De Gallo) is now invading the globe, as Filipinos around the world celebrate it even if they are not in the Philippines.

Father Joy Tajonera, the parish priest of Maryknoll in Taiwan, confirmed this during his interview at the DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Usapang OFW.

However, he said the Simbang Gabi is celebrated during the evening, or what Filipinos call an anticipated Mass, because they consider the welfare of the attendees.

Not just in Taiwan, Filipinos in the United States are also spearheading an anticipated Mass to celebrate the tradition.

When Simbang Gabi began on 16 December, Filipino faithful gathered at the historic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California.

But how did the tradition start?

According to parish priest Julius de Sagun, the direct translation of Misa de Gallo is “Rooster’s Mass,” which is an Eucharistic celebration around the “time when the rooster crows (gallo).”

The priest said Misa de Gallo was traditionally held at dawn to give farmers a chance to worship God before heading to the fields for a day’s work.

Also referring to the nine-day Masses before Christmas, Misa de Aguinaldo means “gift Mass.”

The rector of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, said both Misa de Aguinaldo and Misa de Gallo refer to the same nine Masses in preparation for Christmas.

“There is no liturgical difference — only a difference in meaning and emphasis,” he said.

As a Catholic nation, we believe that completing the nine days will grant our wishes, a sacrifice that Filipinos religiously do as part of our customs and traditions.