Simbang Gabi to start Wednesday dawn

Typhoon Yolanda survivors take part in the Simbang Gabi in a damaged church in Palo, Leyte, at dawn on December 16, 2013, just weeks after the deadly storm hit the region. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

The first of the nine dawn Masses celebrated across the Philippines before Christmas will be held early Wednesday .

The Simbang Gabi is a nine-day tradition observed by Filipino Catholics. The first Mass is held in the early hours of December 16, while the last is celebrated at dawn on Christmas Eve, December 24.

In a circular issued in 2013, Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle noted that celebrating the Simbang Gabi is an expression of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, because "[f]or nine consecutive days [Catholics] join and accompany her, so to speak, as she awaits the birth of her Son.  For this reason, the Masses on these days are celebrated as solemn votive Masses in her honor."

Tagle also said that the Simbang Gabi tradition should be encouraged "because it is a great source of spiritual nourishment to our faithful."

According to Tagle, the Simbang Gabi was brought to the Philippines by Spanish evangelists from Mexico, and the Masses were called "Misa de Aguinaldo" (gift). "That is why the faithful wake up early morning for the nine days before Christmas for the celebration of the dawn Mass. The faithful make their 'Aguinaldo' to God for the great gift of Jesus. The practice can also be understood as the preparation of the faithful to receive from God the great 'Aguinaldo' of Christmas, which is Jesus, the savior of the world," he said in the circular, which outlined the guidelines of celebrating the Simbang Gabi in the Manila Archdiocese.

Catholic devotees attend the Simbang Gabi at Quiapo Church in Manila before dawn on December 16, 2014. Photo: Danny Pata

These included the stipulation that the dawn Masses must be celebrated at around 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. to be considered a Misa de Aguinaldo. Other Masses celebrated during the nine days will be considered Masses of the Advent Season.

During the Simbang Gabi, the celebrant wears white vestments (instead of the purple worn by priests during Advent) and the Gloria is sung, along with Christmas carols.

Even though the Simbang Gabi typically draws huge crowds, the dawn Masses may no longer be held outside churches. In past years, they had also been held in malls, shopping centers, sports complexes and similar venues. The exception to this is if there is a chapel in the establishment that celebrates Mass in coordination with the parish.  — BM, GMA News