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Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi (Tagalog: [sɪmˌbaŋ ɡɐˈbi]; Filipino for "Night Mass") is a devotional, nine-day series of Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. It is similar to the nine dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve practiced in Puerto Rico called Misa de Aguinaldo. Originally intended as a practical compromise for farmers that started working in the fields before sunrise, this cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
Simbang Gabi is held daily from December 16 to 24, and occurs at different times ranging from as early as 2:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Anticipated celebrations, meanwhile, are held from December 15 to 23, typically at 8:00 p.m, or as late as 11:00 p.m or at midnight. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Rooster's Mass").
Simbang Gabi originated in 1669 during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, as a practical compromise for farmers who began working before sunrise. When the Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas in the evenings, which was more common in the rest of the Hispanic world, but the priests saw that the people would attend despite the day's fatigue. As such, with the Philippines being an agricultural country known for its rice, coconut and sugarcane plantations, the clergy began to say Masses in the early morning while it was still dark before people went out to work the land.
From 1680 to 1689, however, this practice was temporarily halted following a decree from the Holy See against the singing of hymns in native languages. The decree was also implemented in Spain, the Azores, and Mexico. At the time, the hymns may only be sung in the start and end of the Tridentine Mass. Following the death of the Archbishop of Manila Felipe Pardo, priests resumed the celebration of the pre-dawn Masses. It would eventually become an important cultural tradition in the Philippines at the turn of the 19th century.
In 1953, the First Plenary Council of the Philippines petitioned the Holy See to continue the practice of Misa de Gallo, which was later granted. In 1961, the Vatican granted the continuation of the indult.
On December 15, 2019, Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis led the celebration of Simbang Gabi for the Filipino Catholic community at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the first time a pope led the traditional Mass.
Liturgically, Simbang Gabi is a series of votive Masses celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. White is the liturgical color authorized 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. On Sundays covered by the novena, the propers and readings are taken from the Sunday liturgy but the liturgical color is still white. Filipinos celebrate this Mass with great solemnity and the Gloria is sung (which is otherwise forbidden the rest of the day).
The Mass usually begins at four o’clock in the morning. Pope Sixtus V ordered that Mass must be heard before sunrise since it was the harvest season, and farmers needed to be in the fields right after the liturgy.
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Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi (Tagalog: [sɪmˌbaŋ ɡɐˈbi]; Filipino for "Night Mass") is a devotional, nine-day series of Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. It is similar to the nine dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve practiced in Puerto Rico called Misa de Aguinaldo. Originally intended as a practical compromise for farmers that started working in the fields before sunrise, this cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
Simbang Gabi is held daily from December 16 to 24, and occurs at different times ranging from as early as 2:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Anticipated celebrations, meanwhile, are held from December 15 to 23, typically at 8:00 p.m, or as late as 11:00 p.m or at midnight. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Rooster's Mass").
Simbang Gabi originated in 1669 during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, as a practical compromise for farmers who began working before sunrise. When the Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas in the evenings, which was more common in the rest of the Hispanic world, but the priests saw that the people would attend despite the day's fatigue. As such, with the Philippines being an agricultural country known for its rice, coconut and sugarcane plantations, the clergy began to say Masses in the early morning while it was still dark before people went out to work the land.
From 1680 to 1689, however, this practice was temporarily halted following a decree from the Holy See against the singing of hymns in native languages. The decree was also implemented in Spain, the Azores, and Mexico. At the time, the hymns may only be sung in the start and end of the Tridentine Mass. Following the death of the Archbishop of Manila Felipe Pardo, priests resumed the celebration of the pre-dawn Masses. It would eventually become an important cultural tradition in the Philippines at the turn of the 19th century.
In 1953, the First Plenary Council of the Philippines petitioned the Holy See to continue the practice of Misa de Gallo, which was later granted. In 1961, the Vatican granted the continuation of the indult.
On December 15, 2019, Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis led the celebration of Simbang Gabi for the Filipino Catholic community at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the first time a pope led the traditional Mass.
Liturgically, Simbang Gabi is a series of votive Masses celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. White is the liturgical color authorized 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. On Sundays covered by the novena, the propers and readings are taken from the Sunday liturgy but the liturgical color is still white. Filipinos celebrate this Mass with great solemnity and the Gloria is sung (which is otherwise forbidden the rest of the day).
The Mass usually begins at four o’clock in the morning. Pope Sixtus V ordered that Mass must be heard before sunrise since it was the harvest season, and farmers needed to be in the fields right after the liturgy.