Traditional 9-day ‘Simbang Gabi’ Masses begin

Tuesday was the start of the Catholic tradion of the nine Simbang Gabi masses, also known as Night Masses or Misa de Gallo, with the final mass to be celebrated on Christmas Eve.

 

Still a good number of people made their way to churches Tuesday morning for the Mass, despite the similar good numbers who attended the anticipated Masses Monday night, radio dzBB reported.

 

The number of people who attended Mass at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City was so large that worshipers were spilling out of the building, dzBB's James Agustin said.

 

A similar number of people could also be found at the Tayuman church along Rizal Avenue in Manila, a separate dzBB report said.

 

The atmosphere was festive, with vendors selling delicacies, and in some churches, fireworks were lit.

 

Meanwhile, a police presence was visible at the churches, as well as at transport terminals and the Light and Metro Rail Transit systems. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News