By Christina I. Hermoso
As in the past years, thousands of devout Catholics are expected to attend the first of the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” dawn masses which will be held in all Catholic churches across the country and in many parts of the world today.
Considered as one of the oldest but well-observed Christmas traditions in the Philippines, church bells will peal before the break of dawn for the duration of the Simbang Gabi which are held at 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. with the final
mass, the Misa de Gallo (rooster’s mass) on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, traditionally held shortly before midnight.
To accommodate the needs of the faithful on different work schedules, anticipated Simbang Gabi masses were held starting last night at around 8 p.m. in many parishes as well as in chapels in shopping centers.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos, chairperson of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines- Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said even overseas Filipino workers diligently observe the Simbang Gabi.