Simbang Gabi
– Evening Mass

December 21, 2008

The Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of Orlando celebrated its fifth
annual Simbang Gabi Masses beginning on Dec. 15th. Parishes from
across central Florida participated in the Filipino Advent Tradition.

What is Simbang Gabi? The Filipino translation of the words Simbang Gabi
means night or evening Mass. Sometimes the Advent Celebration is also referred
to as the “Misa de Gallo (Spanish translation meaning Early Mass as the word
“Gallo” translates to rooster or the morning crowing of the rooster).

It was around the mid 16th Century, the early years of Christianity in the Philippines,
which the Simbang Gabi or the Misa de Gallo became a Filipino religious tradition. During Advent, in preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, the missionary friars held nine days of Masses to usher in the event of Christ’s birth. The masses were celebrated in the early morning hours, typically at about 5:00 AM when the roosters crow to announce the coming of a new day. At the fi rst sounds of dawn, at the crowing of the rooster, the entire family would get up and attend
the early morning Mass. When Mass was over the men would head
to their fi elds for farming. It was a religious practice that was handed
down from parent to child for many generations.

Filipino immigrants brought this tradition with them to other countries and here
in United States. Since it is not practical to hold a celebration at dawn,
local parishes hold the celebration at night.

This year 17 parishes throughout the Orlando area celebrated Simbang Gabi Masses
from Dec. 15th through Dec. 23rd under the coordination of the Filipino Ministry
of the Diocese of Orlando. On Dec. 21st the Filipino members of the St Joseph Parish celebrated the annual Simbang Gabi tradition.
To learn more about the Ministry to the Filipinos you can visit their
website on http://www.ministrytofi lipinos.com.

 By Victor Alzona

Photo by Victor Alzona