As the observance of the traditional ‘Simbang Gabi’ begins on Friday, Dec. 15 (anticipated) and the actual votive masses at dawn on Saturday, Dec. 16, the Archdiocese of Manila encouraged the voluntary wearing of face masks inside the church with the expected volume of church goers.

 Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said the advice is in accordance with the recommendation of the Manila archdiocese’s Ministry on Health Care amid the rising cases of Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses during the holiday season.
 

“But we will not allow them to deprive us of Christmas joy. We request our communities to observe the health and safety protocols,” His Eminence said in a circular released on Friday, Dec. 15.

“Let us practice voluntary wearing of face masks and hand hygiene. Those who are sick must stay at home so as not to spread the infection,” the Church leader added.

“Let these measures be our gesture of charity and compassion for others, especially those who are vulnerable,” said Cardinal Advincula.

With the return of the observance of age old Christmas traditions, Cardinal Advincula cited the festive yet faith filled celebration of Christmas in the country.

“The next few days will again show us how vibrant, festive, and faith- filled Filipino Christmas is. As I wish you a blessed Christmas season, I gladly assure you of my prayerful solicitude,” the cardinal said.

As in the past years, thousands of devout Catholics are expected to attend 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. 
 

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 are held at around 8 p.m. in many parishes as well as in chapels in shopping centers. 

Also known as Misa de Aguinaldo (gift mass), churchgoers offer the gift of sacrifice in waking up before the break of dawn for nine consecutive days to attend the dawn masses for different intentions: in thanksgiving, as a form of worship, or for a petition. Others, in traditional Filipino belief, attend to obtain special graces upon completing the nine-day masses. 

The 'Simbang Gabi' is an old tradition with deep roots in the country's religious culture, dating back to 1565 when Spanish "conquistador" Miguel Lopez de Legazpi celebrated the first Feast of the Nativity. 

The practice originated in Mexico when in 1587, Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the Convent of San Agustin Acolman, asked permission from the Holy Father to hold Christmas masses for the farmers who wake up very early to work. 

During the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V decreed that the dawn masses should also be held in the Philippines every 16th of December. At that time, it gave the farmers a chance to hear mass before working in the fields.