– Fr Leonard E Dollentas
A story is told about a newly ordained Filipino priest who spent weeks preparing his Simbang Gabi homilies. He had laboriously prepared for it, and had them carefully written out. On the first eve of the Simbang Gabi, the priest was nervous and – taking the advice of some older priests – he took a shot of lambanog (Philippine vodka) to calm his nerves. Well, this first day of the Simbang Gabi was his first big one, so he took a second shot, and a third. He went into his bedroom to get dressed and when he came back to his study, the priest could not find the text of his homily. He began searching in all the desk drawers and shelves, but it was nowhere in sight. He searched for a half an hour. Nothing. It was getting close to time for the Mass. He knew he could not give the homily without the text in front of him. Finally, in desperation the priest lifted his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Lord, help me find my homily. If you do, I will never drink another drop of lambanog again.”
When he looked down, there, right in front of him – as if by a miracle – he saw the homily. He lifted his eyes back up to heaven and said, “Oh, never mind my promise, Lord. I found it myself.”
One of the excitements that brings the Filipino spirits high before Christmas is the Simbang Gabi (dawn masses traditionally held before Christmas by the Filipinos). It is one of the most arduous tasks of the priests in the Philippines in their ministry – waking up so early and devising all means to keep people fully awake during the Mass. Filipino Catholics around the world, including those here in Macau are looking forward to it.
LEGACY OF SPANISH MISSIONARIES
Simbang Gabi is rich in religious cultural identity of the Filipinos. This tradition was preserved through the centuries, enriched and sustained by the Filipino clergy and the faithful. It is one of the legacies of faith handed down by the Spanish missionaries to the Filipinos. Historically it is called Misa de Gallo and Misa de Aguinaldo during the early Spanish times in the Philippines, and finally it is now commonly called Simbang Gabi. Misa de Gallo means “Mass of the rooster” and Misa de Aguinaldo, means “Mass of the gift”. But, why Misa de Gallo? Usually the rooster crows at the break of dawn. Way back then, during the Spanish colonial era, farmers used roosters as their alarm clock.
The rooster’s first crow would signal them to wake up so early and drop by the church before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest. As they have been used to such routine, the early morning Mass of the Christmas novena after the first crow of the rooster was celebrated for them. It was a practical compromise for those lowly farmers, who got used to work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. Hereafter, the Mass was distinctly called “Misa de Gallo.” The sense of sacrifice in waking up so early became religiously striking to the simple faith of the Filipinos, and gradually the whole community joined the humble farmers with the Misa de Gallo.
The liturgy of the Simbang Gabi has undergone some gradual development over the years. Cardinal Rosales, the former Archbishop of Manila, in his 2012 guidelines on the celebration of Simbang Gabi in the Archdiocese of Manila, explained: “Throughout the centuries, the celebration of Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo has been preserved, enriched and sustained by our people in spite of the pastoral and liturgical challenges it underwent. Its form of celebration today is the effect of the long history of this celebration. It was at the First Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1953 that a formal petition to Rome was made Simbang Gabi. The Papal Indult was given with these conditions: “On the nine days preceding the Nativity of our Lord, i.e., from December 16 to 24, the solemn votive Mass Rorate Coeli Desuper is sung especially in parish and convent churches, but only once a day with great solemnity and with a big attendance of the faithful.” (Acta et Decreta Primi Concilii Plenarii Ins. Phil, 1953, n. 356: J. Ylla, OP, Indultos y Privilegios de Filipinas, UST Press, 1940, p. 24.)
SIMBANG GABI AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
The Simbang Gabi Mass usually begins at four in the morning. The church is often decorated with lanterns. Its dazzling and colorful lights, especially at night, emits warmth and unparalleled gladness for the anticipated joy of Christmas. The nine-day novena brings the family and the parishioners together. Filipino parents try to bring the whole family to join the Mass. An awe-inspiring sacrifice, especially for the little ones, some of whom would sleep on the laps of their parents during the Mass. Simbang Gabi is most popular among the young. It is an occasion for the barkadas (circle of friends among the young) to be together. Young lovers would have their time together during and after the Mass. The occasion provides an opportunity for a reunion among neighbors, exchanging chats while walking towards the Church. They end up with a promise to pray for each other… and the bad politicians.
After the Mass, everyone will feast on various delicacies like bibingka, puto bungbong (sticky rice cakes), hot tea, salabat (ginger hot drink), hot chocolate or native coffee.
The excitement to complete the novena is intense. It is in the traditional belief of the Filipinos that completing the novena is supposed to mean that God will grant their special wish or favor- revealing the need for their catholic faith to be continually deepened. God’s blessing does not depend on the number of Masses attended, but on the disposition of the person who receives that blessing. This is the time to realize that the most valuable gift we can give to the Lord are our sins, in the sacrament of reconciliation. Doing a good confession during this time is the best Christmas gift one can ever give to God. The best blessings is God’s mercy and a heart pure and cheerful. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart.
SIMBANG GABI AT SE CATHEDRAL
As big numbers Filipinos are now spread around the world, Filipino customs and faith goes with them. This includes the Simbang Gabi , with some adaptations. Many parishes now in the United States and even in Europe celebrate Simbang Gabi but not just the early morning, but also in the evening. This is to accommodate the needs of people with a great variety of work schedules.
Although the Filipino community in Macau, under the Society of our Lady of the Holy Trinity (SOLT) Fathers has been celebrating Simbang Gabi every year, this year Simbang Gabi will also be celebrated at Se Cathedral.
The Pastoral Team of the English speaking community of Se Cathedral, aware of the diversity of culture in its community, designed a pastoral program that would promote an understanding and appreciation for the indigenous Catholic traditions and practices of others. Integrating unique religious practices in the pastoral program provide a sense of “home” for those who practice it.
Hence, Simbang Gabi was integrated to its pastoral program this year, along with the popular religious Catholic practices indigenous to the Mexicans and Indians. Hopefully, with the Simbang Gabi, the numerous Filipino church goers at the Cathedral and in the others Catholic churches in Macau, will again experience a joyful and meaningful Christmas this year. Simbang Gabi will bring them a sense of home. While the non-Filipinos, who will be joining the celebration, will be acquainted with the Filipino spirit of dedication and love for God. Their sense of joy in togetherness, their noisy camaraderie and their simplicity of faith.
The Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral will be at 8:30 p.m. from December 15 to 23. To highlight this religious event, there will be short talks, catechism and concerts of Filipino Christmas songs at 8:00 p.m. before the mass.
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