Prelate: Blessings, devotion the same in online, physical Mass
One need not worry if they cannot physically go to church to attend the nine-day "Simbang Gabi" (dawn mass) and have to resort to online mass amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the Lord will understand their situation especially those who are sick.
"The Lord understands the situation, especially in cases of the sick, elderly, and children," he said.
"If we are talking about the blessings, the devotion to the Lord, it is just the same," added Pabillo.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines had earlier encouraged the live streaming of Masses in social media for those unable to physically join the liturgical celebrations.
Last month, the Archdiocese of Manila released the "Instructions on the celebration of Advent, Simbang Gabi, and Christmas."
The archdiocese reminded priests that for Simbang Gabi, Masses in the evening can start as early as 6 p.m. and in the morning, the last Mass can start at 6 a.m.
It said more Simbang Gabi Masses could be scheduled in different venues to diffuse the mass goers.
As a pastoral accommodation, the archdiocese said, the anticipation of the following day during evening Simbang Gabi Masses will be allowed with the exception of the anticipation of Monday during Sundays considering the principle of the primacy of Sunday.
It said the Vigil Mass of Christmas may be celebrated from 6 p.m. and the last Mass on the evening of Dec. 24 would take the liturgy of the Midnight Mass of Christmas.
The archdiocese said the dawn Mass of Christmas may also be celebrated early morning of Dec. 25.
Since the kissing of images is not permitted during the pandemic, families can be encouraged to bring their family image of the infant Jesus during the Christmas Masses.
The traditional Simbang Gabi kicks off the Christmas season in the Philippines, which is a nine-day novena of Masses held prior to Christmas Day, usually at 4 a.m.
In urban areas such as Metro Manila, aside from the early morning Mass, they also have an anticipated Mass on the eve of Dec. 15.