Simbang Gabi novena strengthens faith of Filipinos

In the Philippines, Christmas is in the air equally the "-ber" months brainstorm to unfold. They say Filipinos gloat Christmas longer than any other country effectually the world. Although Appearance starts around the last week of Nov, Filipino people kickoff playing Christmas songs and putting upwardly Christmas decorations by September.

A famous song in the Philippines is heard every bit the traditional novena Mass starts on Dec. 16, and it goes:

Simbang gabi simula ng Pasko, sa puso ng lahing Pilipino.
Siyam na gabi kaming gumigising, sa tugtog ng kampanang walang tigil.
Maaga kami kinabukasan, lalakad kaming langkay-langkay.
Babatiin ang ninong at ninang ng "Maligayang Pasko po
At hahalik ng kamay.

Simbang Gabi is the get-go of Christmas in the hearts of the Filipino people.
Nosotros wake up for nine nights to the incessant ringing of the bell.
We're early on the next twenty-four hour period, we're going to walk in groups.
Greet the godfather and godmother "Merry Christmas"
And buss the hand.

This vocal depicts one of the traditional Filipino ways of preparing for the Christmas feast, Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) or Misa de Gallo (Rooster'south Mass in Castilian). Information technology is widely observed throughout the Philippines, an archipelago, and Asia'southward largest Catholic country.

For nine days before Christmas, Catholics get upward early on to accept part in the early morning Mass December. 16-24. Some churches commencement as early as 3 or 4 in the morning time.

At this time, families, couples and youth troop to the church. Others carry plastic chairs with them; everybody goes to attend the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi. If y'all ever arrive late, yous tin't expect to be able to enter the church because of the many people attending.

I recollect in my younger years, how some of my family members used to attend Misa de Gallo. We needed to become ready earlier and then we could enter the church building and notice seats. Churches are usually full, especially on the first day of Misa de Gallo.

However, I was not much devoted to Misa de Gallo. Though it was a common belief that petitions and wishes would exist granted when one completes the novena, I tin can't remember completing it in my younger years. I was function of the church choir, and we usually were assigned a day to sing during Misa de Gallo. So, I was obliged to wake upward early and attend Mass. I missed some days as I was also lazy to get up besides early.

The practice of Simbang Gabi in the Philippines dates to the 16th century when religious missionaries brought it to the Philippines from Mexico. Priests from this menstruation agreed to agree pre-dawn Masses then that farmers could attend Mass before going to piece of work in the fields.

It was at the Start Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1953 that a formal petition to Rome was made to continue Simbang Gabi. The papal indult with these conditions says: "On the nine days preceding the Nativity of our Lord, i.e., from December 16 to 24, the solemn votive Mass Rorate Coeli Desuper is sung especially in parish and convent churches, but only once a mean solar day, with neat solemnity and with a big attendance of the true-blue."  On March 24, 1961, Rome granted the continuation of this indult for five years. Since then Simbang Gabi has been celebrated throughout the Philippines.

For Filipino Catholics, Simbang Gabi is primarily an expression of filial devotion to the Virgin Mary. They join and accompany her for nine days as she anticipates the nascence of her son.

It is a nifty source of spiritual nourishment to the faithful, which leads them to prayer and contemplation, helps them to appreciate their faith more than fully, prompts them to meditate on God'southward love and draws people closer to the one at the center of any expression of organized religion: Jesus Christ.

In a 2019 Mass with the Filipino community at the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed gratitude to Filipino migrants, noting "because of them, this devotion has crossed national borders and has arrived in many other countries."

More than the belief of having 1's wishes and petitions granted when completing the Misa de Gallo, the tradition reflects the groovy faith that Filipinos take. This devotion nourishes the spiritual life of the true-blue as they ready for the commemoration of Jesus' birth.

It's center-warming to run into that despite everything the Philippines has been through as a nation, Filipinos continue to attend Simbang Gabi in their country and even in different parts of the world: It is celebrated wherever Filipinos are. About 10 meg Filipinos are living in different parts of the world.

Neither the epidemics nor the pandemic have hindered the faithful in cultivating their faith. Churches managed to continue this centuries-former devotion. It continues to be historic in the Philippines, following COVID-19 health protocols and guidelines.

Although I still struggle even now to wake early to attend Misa de Gallo, I have learned to capeesh the spiritual richness of this solemn novena. It invites me to experience the joy and patient waiting for Jesus' nascency.

Finally, Simbang Gabi is a gift to the Filipino people that strengthens their faith. Information technology may be a tradition for some, but in the hearts of believers, this is a time of preparation and journey with Mary for an encounter with God-fabricated human being, Jesus.

Jennibeth Sabay

Jennibeth Sabay is a junior sis of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Formulation of Castres, a missionary congregation committed to the poorest of the poor.

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