Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.
ORIGIN
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.
During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. 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.
SIMBANG GABI NOW AND THEN
The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.
SIGNIFICANCE
Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.
Source: rcam.org
Archdioces of Manila Circular 2010-51 " We do not allow Simbang Gabi to be celebrated in corridors and hallways of shopping malls."
The traditional “Simbang Gabi” or dawn Masses will no longer be allowed inside malls under the Archdiocese of Manila, according to a circular issued by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
“We do not allow ‘Simbang Gabi’ to be celebrated in corridors and hallways of shopping malls where the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is needlessly exposed to shoppers that are indifferent to the celebration,” part of the Circular No. 2010-51, dated Nov. 15, said.
However, the circular noted that Simbang Gabi in a shopping mall is allowed provided there is a chapel in the establishment, where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with frequency and duly approved by the Archdiocese.
The order was addressed to all parish priests in the Archdiocese to serve as guidelines on the celebration of dawn Masses.
The circular added that aside from the celebration of the Simbang Gabi in parochial churches, the same Masses are allowed to be held in chapels, with the consent of the parish priest and in coordination with the parish.
Likewise, Cardinal Rosales said that only the Mass held from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. will be considered Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo. Other Masses celebrated during the nine days before Christmas are celebrated as Masses of the Advent season, and should follow the norms of the liturgy of the Advent season.
Rosales said that if the Misa de Aguinaldo is celebrated from 8 p.m. onwards, it should be motivated by genuine pastoral care for the spiritual benefit of the faithful.
“The celebration of the Misa de Aguinaldo at other times, e.g., morning, mid-day or late afternoon Mass, is not in keeping with the liturgical norms of the Archdiocese of Manila and is to be regarded as an abuse. Therefore, only the dawn and, when pastorally required, the evening Masses are considered Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo,” the circular added.
The Cardinal hopes that the guidelines will help the priests and the faithful in ensuring the proper, solemn, dignified and meaningful celebration of Simbang Gabi.
Simbang Gabi is a typical Filipino way of preparing for the great feast of Christmas. The tradition was brought to the country by Spanish evangelizers from Mexico. Originally, it popularly came to be known as Misa Aguinaldo. De Aguinaldo means gift, which is peculiar to Christmas.
The faithful wake up early morning for nine days before Christmas to join in the celebration of the dawn Masses.
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