The health crisis brought by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly altered the way Filipinos celebrate traditions during special occasions like the Holiday Season.
And since churches are only allowed to accommodate 30 percent of their capacity, Manila Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo has ordered all the parishes under his jurisdiction to hold more masses so more churchgoers can attend.
Traditionally, the Christmas Eve Mass is held at midnight following the belief that Jesus was born at night (Luke 2:6-8). This is also reflected in reference to Christmas Eve as the Holy Night, or “Heilige Nacht” in German, and Good Night, which is Noche Buena in Spanish, and in widely popular Christmas songs like Silent Night and Oh, Holy Night.
With the Filipinos’ penchant for celebrations, families will somehow manage to observe Christmas Eve a little differently. Simplicity would be a norm.
Many, who cannot be reunited with their families, for instance, will be “connecting” with their loved ones online via zoom, particularly those with elderly relatives like parents and grandparents who are more vulnerable to the viral infection.
For some who may be fortunate to be reunited with their families tonight (Dec. 24) for the Christmas Eve dinner (Noche Buena), physical distancing is advised along with skipping the usual “beso-beso” and the renting of a videoke machine.
Seniors are likewise advised to join the Eucharistic celebration online.
The Misa de Gallo (Christmas Eve Mass), the culmination of the nine-day ‘Simbang Gabi’ novena masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary that began last Dec. 16, will be celebrated in all Catholic churches earlier in some parishes this year.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said, the Christmas Eve mass, the Vigil Mass of Christmas, may be celebrated from 6 p.m. onwards and the last mass of December 24 taking the liturgy of the Midnight Mass of Christmas.
The dawn mass of Christmas, the CBCP said, may also be celebrated early morning on Christmas Day.
