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Pinoys attend Simbang Gabi at St. Peter's Basilica officiated by Cardinal Tagle
VATICAN CITY - Four days before Christmas, the Filipino community celebrated its annual traditional Simbang Gabi at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Sunday.
This historic celebration, coinciding with the Fourth Sunday of Advent, once again testified to the strong faith and unity of Filipinos in Italy.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, together with Fr. Ronan Ayag, chaplain of the Sentro Filipino Chaplaincy; Fr. Gregory Ramon D. Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino; and other Filipino clergy serving in Rome and nearby areas.
Joining the celebration were Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, a Scalabrinian Italian missionary well known for his dedicated service to migrants, and Msgr. Pier Paolo Felicolo of Migrantes, as a sign of solidarity and support for the Filipino community.
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle emphasized the spirit of Advent as a time to prepare one’s heart for the coming of Christ.
He said, “Christmas is not only a commemoration of the birth of our Savior, but also a preparation to welcome and receive Jesus in our daily lives.”
He also noted that people often make many plans as Christmas approaches—most of which are usually focused on material things. This serves as a reminder that amid all the preparations and celebrations, we must not forget the true meaning of Christmas: faith, love, sharing, and the birth of Jesus Christ, he said.
Aside from the thousands of Filipino faithful who attended the Holy Mass, representatives of the Philippine government were also present, including Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel "Neal" Imperial and Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Myla Macahilig.
After the Holy Mass, children offered flowers to the image of the Virgin Mary—a beloved tradition that expresses devotion and reverence, symbolizing the innocence and faith of the next generation. —KG, GMA Integrated News
