Simbang Gabi, the Filipino tradition of nine-day novena mass leading to Christmas Eve, has begun not only here in the Philippines but across the globe—from Italy and Vatican City to the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America.
This year, parishes around the world are encouraged to offer thanksgiving prayers for the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines.
Fr. Ricky Gente, chaplain of the Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy in Rome, said Simbang Gabi for the Filipino Catholic Community in Italy will be observed first at Santa Pudenziana Basilica on December 15 around 6 p.m. Italy time (December 16, 1 a.m., Philippine time). The 4th century basilica is the designated official church of the Filipinos by St. John Paul II when he was the pope.
Then on December 19, the venue for the Simbang Gabi mass will transfer to St. Peter Basilica in Vatican City. The mass will be presided by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and will start around 4 p.m. (December 20, 12 midnight Philippine time).
However, only 500 seats will be allowed in the St. Peter Basilica, Flordeliza Racadio, secretary of the Pastoral Council of the Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy, said.
This is the sixth year Simbang Gabi is being celebrated in St. Peter Basilica, the papal enclave. In 2019, Pope Francis even celebrated the Simbang Gabi mass there.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Simbang Gabi also started today December 15, 9 p.m. (December 16, 1 a.m. Philippine time) at the St. Joseph’s Church Parish.
In Taiwan, Simbang Gabi will be held in various churches, including the Holy Cross Parish in Changhua City, St. Joseph Parish in Kaohsiung, and St. Michael Church in Taipei.
Filipinos in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), meanwhile, will not be allowed to attend in-person Simbang Gabi masses at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Instead, they will be asked to join the online mass that will be streamed live at 8 p.m. UAE time (December 16, 12 midnight Philippine time) at the SMCFilipino Facebook Page.
Meanwhile, Filipinos in Sydney, Australia have already started their first Simbang Gabi at Our Lady of Dolours Chatswood Parish, adorned with Christmas lanterns around the church, last December 11.
“We are blessed to witness and experience this Filipino way of waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ by adorning the church with parols [stars] to symbolize the light of Christ. Parols also adorn homes to show that families are ready to receive and welcome Christ,” Bishop Anthony Randazzo, who presided the mass, said.
Bishop Randazzo said Simbang Gabi has become popular in the Diocese of Broken Bay in Sydney, thanks to the Filipino Chaplaincy who introduced the Filipino tradition.
He was delighted with the parols, which he said are visible signs of joy around the Church, and a reminder for his parish “to always be happy in the Lord.”
Simbang Gabi also started early in New York City, USA last December 6. The novena masses are being held at the Philippine Center along 5th Ave., organized by the Philippine Consulate General.
Bishop Witold Mroziewski, auxiliary bishop to the Diocese of Brooklyn, also held a special blessing of the parols before the Simbang Gabi mass Tuesday night.
On the west coast, Los Angeles, USA, the pre-Christmas mass series also started early in Sta. Monica last December 11.
But the bigger celebration will be held today December 15, 6:30 p.m., (December 16, 10:30 a.m. Philippine time) at the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral with Archbishop José H. Gomez as celebrant.
Aside from celebrating the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will also celebrate the 250th jubilee of the Catholic faith in Los Angeles. “This year’s Simbang Gabi theme, ‘Gifted to Share the Light of Christ,’ highlights these important gifts for Filipino Catholics,” the archdiocese said in a news statement.
Sixty parishes in Chicago, Illinois, USA have also scheduled their own Misa De Gallo starting today December 15 from as early as 6:30 a.m. (December 16, 6:30 p.m. Philippine time).
The Archdiocese of Chicago released guidelines on how to conduct Simbang Gabi masses, including following health protocols and information on the availability of 19 Filipino priests in Chicago.
“Please be aware that there are only 19 Filipino priests who already have faculties in the Archdiocese of Chicago [this does not include some of the religious orders]. With just 19 priests and about 60 parishes participating in Simbang Gabi, please give consideration and realize that it will be difficult for all 19 Filipino priests to make themselves available for all requests and invitations,” it added.