It is already the start of Simbang Gabi which has always been a part of the Filipino Christmas tradition, but others are still clueless of its origins and significance. It is in fact a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary and also serves as a countdown or spiritual preparation on the forthcoming birth of Jesus.
The novena begins every December 15 as an anticipated mass that usually commences from 8 to 9 in the evening and in 16 as early as 4 in the morning.
Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.
The pre-dawn mass is customarily announced by the ringing of the church bells during the olden times. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town.
It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the “Misa de Gallo”. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
With this historical background, we also came up with the list of 9 things you can relate to if you are attending the Simbang Gabi:
- The everyday struggle one has to undergo just to get out of bed, shower with intensely cold water just to arrive on time for the mass.
- Dressing up for the cold weather but end up sweating profusely inside the church.
- Hearing the repetitive but festive Christmas songs from establishments or radios on the way for the Simbang Gabi.
- Be left in great awe of all the church decoration with colorful lights and beautiful Parol lanterns that welcome the church goers.
- The feeling of joy and excitement in attending the mass which serves as a regular family bonding.
- Buying bibingka and puto bumbong from the stall outside the church after the mass or even eating lugaw and drinking hot chocolate or salabat.
- You believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn masses, one’s wishes will be granted.
- You are looking forward to witness the ‘Panuluyan’ usually held at the 24th reenacting the struggles of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.
- The immeasurable satisfaction of completing the 9 masses of Simbang Gabi.
The long-standing tradition depicts its significance not only through strengthening the faith of the people but also bridging the gaps and reinforcing the relationship between family members.
It is not by completing the novena that assures bountiful blessings and makes one a genuine believer but it is also by faith shown through his charitable works of mercy as it is stated, “So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith without deeds is also dead.” (James 2:26)
Source: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (http://www.rcam.org/library/SIMBANG_GABI.htm)
Mariele Aquino
Junior Writer, Website Team, Media Ministry
Mariele R. Aquino is a member and website writer of the NSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, an aspiring future medical specialist and currently a STEM senior high school student in the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. Her principle in life is that genuine success is something achieved through a path and battlefield of dodging a thousand bullets without the course of self-centered desires and conducts for temporary existential accomplishment. As a form of simple youthful religious fervor, Mariele used her skills, talent and dedication in writing to serve her Lord but also to grow not only intellectually but more on spiritually.
