what is simbang gabi? st. als 2018

Simbang Gabi.  What is it?

The Simbang Gabi is a 9-day privilege votive mass in honor of the Blessed Mother, a special concession granted by Rome to the Philippines, celebrated antequam dies illuxerit(before the break of dawn usually at 4 in the morning). Thus, it has many names in the Philippines – Misa Dulom (mass in darkness), Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster) and Simbang Gabi (Pre-dawn Mass).  However, the name that best reveals its intent and purpose, I believe, is Misa de Aguinaldo.  Aguinaldo is a Spanish word meaning a Christmas gift.  The nine-day masses is our aguinaldo, our Christmas gift to God because of God’s greatest gift to us – Jesus.  Come to think of it, this is the first and original kris kringle, and a most marvelous exchange of gifts indeed!  

Thus, the simbang gabi always involves a sacrifice, introducing an inconvenience in our daily routine (though, I should say, the bibingka after the mass overly compensates).  Waking at dawn and walking to church before any public transport starts plying the streets is a great sacrifice.  But it is a negligible sacrifice and gift compared to the GIFT we have all received.

Another quality of these nine-day masses is its being held just before the break of dawn.  The symbolism reveals the pattern of spiritual life, a pattern so familiar in the bible – we enter the church in our darkness and we move out in the light.

“The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day…” (Rom. 13” 12-13)

The circumstances of our Simbang Gabi here in St. Als may be quite different, but it is our hope that we keep the same spirit nine days before Christmas, and together with the expectant Mother, Mary, may we welcome Jesus with love, joy and renewed hearts.