Father Joseph Leitao Tan SVD
Simbáng Gabi (Filipino for night Mass) is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practised by Roman Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines in anticipation of Christmas and to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is similar to the nine-day series of dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve practiced in Puerto Rico called Misa de Aguinaldo.
The Simbáng Gabi Masses in the Philippines are held daily from December 16 to 24 and occur at different times ranging from as early as 3.00am to 5.00am. On the last day of the Simbáng Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for Rooster’s Mass).
History
The Simbáng 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. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings instead of the evening. Novenas are more common in the rest of the Hispanic world. This cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
Spanish era agricultural practices
In the Philippines, during the Spanish era, many tenant farmers toiled all day with one break during noon when the heat would be at its peak with the unbearable temperatures. The women also had their share of work tending to their vegetable gardens and as household staff for the elite.
Therefore, when the Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas in the evenings, but the priests saw that the people would attend despite the day’s fatigue. As a compromise, the clergy began to say Masses in the early morning while it was still dark before people went out to work the land.
Current practices
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The Simbáng Gabi Mass usually begins at 4.00am in the morning. Pope Sixtus V ordered that Mass be heard before sunrise since it was the harvest season and the farmers needed to be in the fields right after the celebration.
White is the liturgical colour authourised solely for Masses celebrated within the context of the novena; violet is used for any other Masses said during the day, as these are still considered part of the Advent season.
Filipinos celebrate this Mass with great solemnity and the Gloria is sung. Simbang Gabi is also celebrated in malls. Recently however, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle discouraged the celebration of the Mass at malls, except when a mall has its own chapel.
Evening celebrations of the Simbáng Gabi, which begins at the December 15 and ends on December 23, are scheduled especially in urban areas. There is an erroneously named “anticipated Simbáng Gabi” since vigil or anticipated Masses are only applicable for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. However, the readings used for these Masses are those which are prescribed for the day. Although practised in some parishes, anticipation of the readings prescribed for the next day is prohibited.
A well-known folk belief among the Filipinos is that if a devotee completed all nine days of the Simbáng Gabi, a request made as part of the novena may be granted.
Similar to the Spanish tradition of lighting small oil lamps on Christmas Eve, Filipinos adorn their homes with paróls, which are colourful star-shaped lanterns. This is believed to have originally been used by people to light their way to church in the early morning, as well as to symbolise the Star of Bethlehem. Paróls continue to be popular yuletide decorations in the Philippines, as iconic and emblematic as Christmas trees are in the West.
St. Joseph’s Church, Central, has the largest Filipino community in Hong Kong with more than 10,000 Overseas Filipino Workers and migrants. The vast majority of them, with their families back in the Philippines, consider the parish as their home and seek for care and love from God and each other.
In an effort to provide an atmosphere of home away from home, the parish started the Simbáng Gabi Mass in 2018. The response was overwhelming with insufficient pews to accommodate the participants for the 9:00pm Mass.
Father Joseph Tan, the parish priest, believes that there will be a similar response and participation for the Mass this year as well.
He extends his invitation to everyone to join the Simbáng Gabi liturgy and prepare well for the celebration of the birth of Jesus and welcome the newborn King in this city of Hong Kong.
Time: 9.00pm, from December
15 to December 23
Location: St. Joseph’s Church, 37 Garden Road
