Filipino Catholics celebrate Simbang Gabi, keeping tradition alive

Simbang Gabi is mostly held at St Lawrence Church (pictured)

Despite being away from their home country, the Filipinos in the region are not forgetting to attend their churches for Simbang Gabi, their most important Christmas tradition.

Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) is a nine-day tradition of attending a mass at a Catholic church before the start of Christmas.

Introduced by the Spanish friars in the 18th century to the Filipino farmers, the tradition of Simbang Gabi has continuously evolved in the Phillipines through centuries of practice and now Macau has access to this part of Filipino culture through the migrant workers that live in the MSAR.

With the support of the Filipino priests, three dawn masses are held for nine consecutive days before Christmas day.

In past years, Simbang Gabi was held in St Augustine, however, as the church is under renovation, the mass has been brought to St Lawrence Church.

In St Lawrence Church, the series of traditional masses began on December 16 and will last until this Saturday. Filipinos gather at the church at 5.30 a.m.

In St Joseph Seminary Chapel, the novena masses started on December 15 at 8.30 p.m. and will continue until this Friday.

Pastoral Care for Filipino Migrant Missionary Fr Artemio Balana explained to the Times that the tradition is kept by the Filipinos in the MSAR to remember the spirit of the filial bond in their hearts.

According to him, churches are filled during this festive tradition.

“There’s this spirit of Christmas that the Filipino experiences even when they are here in Macau,” he said.

Fr Balana also shared that another group of the Filipino community had initiated the tradition at Our Lady of Fatima Church meaning that three novena masses are held to commemorate Christmas in Macau this year.

Anna Gail Avanzado, an attendee of Simbang Gabi shared how important these nine days are to the Filipino Catholics.

“Simbang Gabi is important to Filipino Catholics because it is an anticipation of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ and it is giving honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary,” she said. “It is one way of preparing for the birth of Jesus Christ and there’s a folk belief that the devotee’s wish is granted once he completes all nine masses,” she added.

Ayrelyn Benas, another devoted Catholic said that the tradition is about remembering God.

“Simbang Gabi is important because we tend to always focus on work and sometimes one forgets about God. So this kind of tradition, especially that it’s about Jesus, it’s time to remember him,” she said.

As December 24 is the last day of Misa de Gallo, a Spanish term for dawn mass, the Filipinos head home after the mass for Noche Buena.

Christmas evening consists of a traditional family dinner which is a time for families to feast in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“During Noche Buena, we prepare traditional Filipino foods such as our customary noodles and sweets. We exchange gifts and call our families in the Philippines,” said Benas.