[PHOTO - At this morning's first Misa de Gallo, the Cebu
Metropolitan Cathedral was overflowing with churchgoers, too, just like
the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center only a block away. Hundreds had to make do
with hearing mass from outside. Crowds are always largest on the first
first dawn mass and slowly dwindle as the novena, in the form of early
morning masses, progresses.]
MANILA DECEMBER
18, 2011 (CEBU DAILY NEWS) THOUSANDS of Catholics
flocked to various churches in Cebu in yesterday's opening of the
nine-day Misa de Gallo, an annual tradition in the runup to Christmas.
At the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, parish
priest Msgr. Adelito Abella said the celebration honors Mary, the mother
of Jesus Christ. He urged the faithful to intensify their devotion to
the rosary.
Abella said praying the rosary helps the Church address threats
against the Catholic faith such as the proposed Reproductive Health
bill.
The National Shrine of St. Joseph also houses the image of the pregnant Mary who is seated on a donkey.
St. Joseph is standing ahead of the donkey pulling it with a rope.
The manger is left vacant, surrounnded by animal figures.
The baby Jesus will be added on Christmas eve.
Misa de Gallo, which in Spanish means "Mass of the rooster," consists
of nine-day votive dawn Masses in preparation for Christmas.
The annual Filipino tradition begins on Dec. 16 and ends on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve.
The practice was introduced by Spanish friars so that farmers may
hear Mass before going to the fields early in the morning. Reporter Ador
Vincent Mayol
CEBU FREEMAN LIFESTYLE -
Simbang gabi - December 16, (John 5: 33-36) 2011 By Rev. FR. Benjamin SIM, S.J. (The Freeman) Updated December 18, 2011 12:00 AM
CEBU,
Philippines - We began the beautiful tradition of Simbang Gabi or Misa
de Gallo. It is a more intense period of preparation for the celebration
of Christmas, the birth of Christ.
Liturgically, we are still in the season of Advent. But for all
practical purposes Christmas celebration started with these nine days
before Christmas Day. The Christmas Season (the 12 days of Christmas
more or less) starts with December 25 and ends with the Solemnity of the
Epiphany.
But during most of those days the schools are on holidays, the
offices are closed, and many people are on vacation out of town. So, the
Simbang Gabi serves as a kind of sneak preview into Christmas, or a
transition from Advent to Christmas.
To me, the Simbang Gabi is especially beautiful because of its meaningful symbolism.
It is still a period of waiting and preparation. It entails the sacrifice of getting up early in the morning.
It is a sacrifice we offer in preparation for the coming of the Savior.
Time itself from the darkness of night to the light of dawn is
symbolic of the world in the darkness of sin waiting for the coming of
dawn, the coming of Jesus Christ the Light of the world.
That is why I would not favor anticipated Misa de Gallo. We would stand to lose the meaning and symbolism.
The singing of the "Gloria" is in joyful anticipation of Christmas.
The custom of "painit" after the Mass brings us the spirit of festivity
of the season and the joy of family gathering –often with friends.
As we get closer to Christmas Day, it may be good to ask ourselves,
What is Christmas to me? It is just a time to put up those beautiful
decorations if you have not yet done so – but why? It is a time to give
gifts to our friends – but why?
For some, it is a time to ask for gifts – but why? Is it just a
custom and tradition at this time of the year? Are we living a Christmas
without Christ like many pagans do? The consumer society around us
encourages us to non-stop parties and shopping. To spend more money.
And all these has nothing to do with Christ. Some countries call this time of the year Winter Holidays, not Christmas Season.
The Nativity scene is forbidden as Christmas decorations in public, -
only non religious decorations such as Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph
the reindeer are allowed.There is no room for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in
the inn.
Perhaps most of us celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. That
is good in itself.Except that we tend to anesthetize and sterilize the
birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. We remove the dirt and stinking smell of
animals. Mary and Joseph had been traveling for days.And they look as if
they had just came from the beauty parlor.
The Christmas scene looks so beautiful on the Christmas
cards.However, looking beyond the external is the greatest Gift of Love.
Jesus is the Gift of God, Love in the flesh.The Father gave us what is
most dear and precious to Him The Jewish celebration of the Passover is
to make themselves present during the actual happening in history. To be
present there at the time the event was happening.Can we make ourselves
present during that first Christmas Eve as it was happening?
What would we say to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph? What would they say to us?
There is a big difference. Most of us look to the first coming of Our
Lord at Christmas with nostalgia and nice feelings. But most of us look
a the Final Coming of Our Lord with fear and trembling. It is the same
Jesus, who is coming. The question is: How do we prepare for his coming?
Do we prepare ourselves so that he will be comingas a friend, or will
he be a stranger coming to sentence us? The difference is how we know
Jesus. Who is Jesus to you?
There is a third way by which Jesus is coming. This is most
important. Jesus describes the end of our lives and the end of the world
with two images:
- It is like a thief in the night coming when we least expect him,
- or as a bridegroom coming to claim his bride.
If we don't grow in our relationship with him in our daily life, he
will be coming as a thief in the night. If we cultivate an intimate
relationship with him, he will come as a bridegroom claiming his bride.
How do we cultivate that intimate relationship with him? One of the
principal Advent Guides was John the Baptist. John was to prepare the
way of the Lord
- by leveling the mountains and hills,
- filling up valleys and ravines,
- making the rough roads smooth.
What does this mean concretely? It means on the one hand to
• remove or overcome any thing that
• keeps us from opening ourselves to God more totally.
• Concretely, it may mean – to be moreunderstanding, patient, and
compassionate towards others, especially our subordinates. It may mean
to be more forgiving, and letting go of our favorite grudges.
Moreover, this Advent and Christmas Season bring us great
opportunities for love and service towards our suffering brothers and
sisters, who are victims of natural calamities like typhoons and floods,
people who not only lost their homes and loved ones, but even their
means of livelihood to rehabilitate. They still need our help.
Perhaps, during this Season of Advent and Christmas, we can pray for
the grace to be more sensitive to the needs of others, and to be more
generous in our response to their needs, and to be more responsible to
the care of our environment.
There is also the opportunity for helping the Jesuit Missions to the poor and the indegenous marginalized Filipnos of Bukidnon.
Perhaps for every party and celebration you have during this Advent
and Christmas Season, you can set aside a counterpart amount for our
parish scholarship, or for the victims of calamities or the missions, or
some gifts to a poor family around you.
I'm sure your Christmas will be doubly merry and happy for such an
act of generosity. My sisters and brothers, do you want to really have a
Merry Christmas? Try giving to the poor, to the Social Services –
especially those who are really in need.
A Blessed Christmas to All of You! (FREEMAN)
'Simbang Gabi' officially starts Christmas season By Bebot Sison Jr. (The Philippine Star) Updated December 16, 2011 12:00 AM
[PHOTO - The historic Guadalupe Church in Makati is packed full with people spilling outside for the traditional Simbang Gabi]
MANILA, Philippines - The traditional Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo begins today, officially starting the Christmas season.
The nine-day dawn Masses are held at 4 a.m. to commemorate the actual birth of Christ.
In earlier days the schedule of the Mass was convenient for rural
folk who had to wake up early to work in the fields or go out to sea.
Before heading for the farm or the shore, they would first hear Mass
and ask for God's blessing. It was said that the parish priest would
even knock on the doors of villagers to gather them for the Mass.
Later, the Simbang Gabi incorporated the festivities of the Christmas
season. Brass bands would make the round of communities, waking up
people with the marching music.
Then huge Christmas lanterns also became fashionable, bringing color to the previously simple Christmas celebration.
Before Christmas lanterns were introduced, mass-goers lighted their way to the church with candles.
On Christmas Eve, mass-goers look forward to the traditional Noche
Buena or Christmas feast. The holiday spread is likely to include native
rice cakes such as bibingka, suman, and puto bumbong; as well as queso
de bola. To keep warm during the cold weather, salabat or ginger tea is
served.
The tradition dates back to 1587 in Mexico, when Fray Diego de Soria,
prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, petitioned the Pope to
hold Christmas Mass outdoors to accommodate the huge number of
mass-goers. Upon arrival of the Spanish conquistadores in the
Philippines in the 17th century, the Christmas Eucharist was introduced
to native Filipinos and tradition hardly changed over the centuries. In
modern times, the Simbang Gabi has also become an opportunity to keep in
touch with relatives and friends.
Young men take advantage of the early masses to court girls; lovers
also tend to spend more time in the churchyard rather than inside, to
the annoyance of bishops.
Bishop Joel Baylon, in fact, proposed the installation of speakers
and wide screens outside the Church to force young people to pay
attention to the sermon.
He said half of the population of mass-goers are young men who want
to see the girl they are courting, or young couples using the mass as an
excuse to meet.
Despite the changing social mores, people continue to attend the dawn
masses, giving the Church an opportunity to renew its efforts at
evangelization.
Some people still challenge each other to complete all nine masses.
The tradition is alive even in the metropolis.
Security situation
As Simbang Gabi starts today, the National Capital Region Police
(NCRPO) has increased vigilance against crimes that usually proliferate
during the season.
NCRPO chief Alan Purisima met yesterday with his five district
directors and 38 station commanders to map out security preparations for
the Simbang Gabi activities.
"There's no need for us to raise our alert level as we received no terrorist and other threats during the occasion," he said.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent
George Regis ordered his officers to watch out for petty thievery in
churches.
Manila Police District (MPD) spokesman Chief Inspector Erwin
Margarejo said they would look out for youth gangs causing trouble
during Simbang Gabi.
Manila police would pay special attention to the Manila Cathedral,
Quiapo Church, San Agustin Church, Santo Nio Church in Tondo, and
churches in Malate and Sta. Ana. – With Non Alquitran, Evelyn Macairan
Pinoys in NY join 'Simbang Gabi sa Katedral' by Don Tagala, ABC-CBN North America BureauNEW
YORK – Hundreds of Filipinos trooped to the historic St. Patrick's
Cathedral in New York for a one-night only "Simbang Gabi sa Katedral".
"For the last five years that we have been doing this, it's
overwhelming joy. It's an honor to be here at the St Patrick's
Cathedral, united as one people, spiritually," said organizer Linda
Bolano.
Now on its 5th year, "Simbang Gabi sa Katedral" has deep roots in
both the faith and culture of Filipino Catholic immigrants in New York.
While the main goal is to evangelize and bring more Filipinos closer
to the Catholic faith, organizers said the uniquely Filipino Simbang
Gabi tradition prepares Pinoys for the annual remembrance of the birth
of Jesus Christ on December 25.
"Talagang ang diwa ng Pasko ay buhay na buhay sa ating lahat na
Pilipino. Ang St. Patrick's po ay icon na rin natin, parang Manila
Cathedral, parang Baclaran, parang Quiapo," said Francisco Cacho, who
was the Hermano Mayor for the event.
"It is very important that we're able to keep our Filipino tradition
and continue on in keeping the spirit of Christmas in our hearts even if
we are far away from home," said Hermana Mayor Irene Lacson Yupangco.
The Simbang Gabi sa Katedral was celebrated by the Reverend Bishop
Dennis Sullivan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York and
co-celebrated by Filipino priest Fr. Joseph Marabe.
Simbang Gabi mass traditionally starts on December 16. It's
considered as one of the longest and biggest religious Christmas
celebrations in the Philippines.
'Pasko sa Consulado'
Meanwhile, to avoid violating the Archbishop's order and Canon Law
that prohibits mass in non-consecrated areas, the traditional Simbang
Gabi at the New York Philippine Consulate has been converted into 9 days
of prayer service, now called "Pasko Sa Consulado".
Prayers and liturgical readings will take place of the actual Catholic mass.
"At least the community is cognizant of the words of Archbishop Dolan
and at the same time, that they are also aware that the Filipino
Community wants to continue the Christmas tradition here at the
Consulate," said Consul General Mario de Leon.
One of the organizers, Tess Canlas Mojirca, said: "It is very
disappointing, because this tradition has been started many years ago.
If it's a sin now, it should have been a sin then. Regardless we will
still prevail, and Christmas will still be Christmas with us."
Those who opposed holding Simbang Gabi masses at the Consulate
explained they are only trying to preserve and promote genuine Catholic
practices. Don Tagala, ABC-CBN North America Bureau
Filipino Christmas celebrations are being held across the United States.
In Washington D.C., a Philippine-themed Christmas celebration
was held at the Edward J. Pryzbyla Center of the Catholic University of
America last Dec. 3.
Choral groups and instrumentalists performed Filipino and English
Christmas carols before more than 400 guests, the Department of Foreign
Affairs said.
"With the theme 'Kulturang Pamana, Alaala ng Bayan' (Cultural
Heritage, Gift from Home), this year's Paskong Pinoy celebrated the
Filipino American community and its many contributions to the
Philippines and the United States," the DFA said.
Chicago
In Chicago, Filipino-Americans joined the annual "Christmas Around
the World & Holidays of Lights" at the Museum of Science and
Industry (MSI) in Chicago last November 20 and 27.
The Filipino community rendered cultural presentations dubbed
"Paskong Pinoy," with cultural groups incorporating a medley of Filipino
Christmas carols and folk dances.
"The Philippine Consulate and the Filipino-American Community also
decorated a Filipiniana-inspired Christmas tree on display with other
trees around the world at the Museum of Science and Industry and Navy
Pier," the DFA said.
A similar festivity was also held during the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier's Festival Hall on December 3, the DFA said.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, Filipino Americans welcomed the Christmas season
with a celebration of the Holy Mass and the lighting of parol (Christmas
lantern) last December 3, the Philippine Consulate General there said
Monday.
The concelebrated Mass was held at St. Anne of the Sunset Church in
San Francisco, with Robert McElroy, Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco,
as the main celebrant.
"With the (Annual Simbang Gabi Commissioning and Parol-Lighting)
ceremony, the Archdiocese affirmed its recognition of the significant
spiritual impact of Simbang Gabi, and sent the Filipino community
members in a mission to be the light in spreading the message of the
Christmas season to their respective parishes," the DFA said.
The ceremony ushered the Simbang Gabi Masses starting December 15 in the various parishes in the Bay area.
In his remarks during the commissioning Mass and ceremony, McElroy
lauded the Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi in celebrating Christmas.
Attending the "Philippine-inspired" Mass and ceremony were Filipino community members in Filipiniana attire.
Highlighting the Mass were a rendition of songs by the St. Thomas
Moore Choir, the reading of the prayers of the faithful in various
Philippine languages and dialects, and a parade of colorful and parols
representing each parish commissioned for the Simbang Gabi.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Simbang Gabi will also be held at the Parish of the Resurrection December 15 to 23, 7:15 p.m. and on Sundays at 7:00 p.m. VVP, GMA News
SIMBANG GABI SA CANADA
Simbang Gabi sa St. Barnabas, Scarborough, CanadaEmailed for posting by Romeo Ayson Zetazate
St.
Barnabas Parish celebrated the Novena for the Holy Infant Jesus
(Simbang Gabi) in Scarborough, Canada, from Dec. 16-24, 2010.
Parishioners and their friends thronged to the Church every morning
at5:30 AM, to attend the celebration of the Nine days Novena Mass, a
Filipino tradition, regularly observed in the Philippines.
What is unusual in this parish is that, the Pastor, Priests and
Deacon who celebrated the early morning Novena Masses in St. Barnabas
are non-Filipinos. (Indian Pastor, Lebanese & Slovakian priests and
Indonesian deacon), The Parishioners were Blessed to have these clergies
celebrate the Novena Masses every morning to continue their tradition
in Canada. (These busy clergies also celebrate 2 other daily masses and 7
other weekend Masses in the Parish. This Simbang Gabi was started by
Filipino Pastor Fr. Ben Ebcas in St. Barnabas, six years ago.)
Some 300 Parishioners of St. Barnabas and their friends (mostly
Filipinos) come daily early in the morning, braving the winter weather
(which we do not encounter in the Philippines). The Host groups and
families assisted in the Mass service. The Filipino Choir, led by Music
Director Joshua Tamayo, who sang Mass and Christmas songs. Another good
tradition is the placing of the offerings in several baskets in front of
the altar (Generous donations collected were distributed to the poor
families in the Parish.) At the end of the Mass, the Pastor invited all
the devotees for a traditional Filipino breakfast (hot sopas, bibingka,
puto bongbong, kalamay, ensemada, pan de sal) served daily by the Host
group.
Chief News Editor:
Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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