Pinoys’ Simbang Gabi Zeal Lauded

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula thanked the Catholic faithful for their spirited participation in the Simbang Gabi – traditional nine-day pre-dawn masses to usher in Christmas that started on Friday, Dec. 16 – despite all the challenges weighing the country down.

Advincula, interviewed by Church-run Radyo Veritas, said the faithful’s excitement to attend the Misa de Gallo and Simbang Gabi shows that they are ready for the coming of Jesus Christ as they are driven to live up to the religious tradition.

“This experience offered to us by the Simbang Gabi, like enlightenment, fullness and community are, perhaps, the same reasons why in spite of the hardships and crises Filipinos are going through, we keep on returning to church,” said the cardinal.

Still, he reminded the people not to forget that Jesus Christ is the reason such a traditional celebration exists, and why light shines through the darkness of people’s lives that are caused by violence and evil acts.

“Jesus is the light of the world and our torch. Jesus is the bread of life that fills up our hunger. Jesus is the Emmanuel who journeys with and stands by us in life,” Advincula said in Filipino.

He hopes the Catholic faithful will not only be excited to visit the Churches during the Simbang Gabi, but also on regular masses.

At Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) in Manila, thousands of people turned up as expected with “a slight increase” in number from previous years’ attendance when COVID-19 protocols were more restrictive, said Fr. Earl Valdez.

“As expected, (there were a lot of people). Only a slight increase in Church attendance compared to regular Friday masses. The simbang gabi last night and this morning were very orderly and safe,” the church spokesman said.

Simbang Gabi (vigil masses) at the Quiapo Church starts at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. while the Misa de Gallo (pre-dawn masses) starts at 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. with slight variations in time for other churches nationwide until the night of Dec. 23 and the morning of Dec. 24. 

For the EDSA Shrine, the schedule of night masses from Dec. 15 to 23 starts at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., while the Dec. 16 to 24 masses begin at 4:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., said Fr. Jerome Secillano.

“We decorated the church to exude the Christmas season and we invited other priests to celebrate the scheduled masses,” added the EDSA Shrine rector.

Secillano noted that the health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), like the wearing of face masks, are followed strictly. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the religious tradition was observed peacefully despite the increase in number of churchgoers amid the easing of pandemic restrictions.

Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., PNP chief, said there was no report of any untoward incident, which he attributed to heightened police visibility in the vicinity of churches and chapels.

“It is important for police to be present and visible during this Christmas season to ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Azurin said in a statement.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, said nearly 30,000 police officers secured 3,700 places of worship nationwide at the start of the Misa de Gallo tradition. Fajardo said the PNP went on full alert on Thursday and mobilized police officers a day before the night and pre-dawn masses started.

Apart from securing churches, the PNP has also beefed up security in malls, public markets, transportation terminals and other places of convergence this Yuletide season. – With additional reports from Emmanuel Tupas