The lure of Simbang Gabi among Filipinos

Simbang Gabi, which begins on December 16 Saturday for those attending physical dawn masses (4 or 4:30 a.m.) around the country and on December 15 Friday (for those attending physical anticipated masses of 7 or 8 p.m.), is a tradition that Filipinos hold so dearly.

More, however, are lured to the dawn masses because of side attractions like the puto bumbong and bibingka being sold at churchyards by ordinary folks, who pre mix the ingredients so all they do is cook them on top of charcoal fire.

Quite interestingly, the tradition has caught fire with the youth (teenagers and those in pre-teens) who come in big groups to socialize with each other and sometimes, as several priests have noted, to find their “catch” (a possible boyfriend or girlfriend material).

But for those in their late 30s or more, this tradition is so deeply entrenched for the promised miracle cure or blessings they  would receive and are seeking for their loved ones or for themselves.

Majority who attend the first day make a vow to continue it until the end to ensure that their petitions are answered because of the sacrifice they make waking up so early or staying until after 6 p.m. in the church.

But what happens more often is that as the 9-day novena progresses crowds thin and many attendees tend to fall asleep, especially if the priests have long sermons.

I personally have been trying very hard to complete the 9-day novena masses, but as had happened in the past I miss out for two or three days because either: 1) I do not feel well enough; 2) I get tied to office work even at my house; and 3) I could not wake up at dawn. As for the night masses, I tend to miss them because of socialization and parties (which I am not too fond of) or being tied to office or house chores.

But why the effort?

As has often been said Simbang Gabi is a special novena mass and as novenas are meant to invoke special help from God or the saints, petitions are made along with promises to complete them. 

Whether or not petitions are heard and answered by God, many still attend Simbang Gabi because they feel a special ‘lightness’ in their attitudes and behavior for the day. Missing out one or two days sort of makes them feel that something is amiss. (This is how I feel whenever I miss Simbang Gabi).

Let me quote Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas that the importance of Simbang Gabi is not on the time (gabi) but on the mass (Simba). “The key word is simba not gabi,” he said.

The indispensable part of this 9-day pre-Christmas tradition is the Eucharist, he stressed, adding that aside from attending the 9-day masses, it would be preferable that the faithful would receive Holy Communion in preparation for Christmas or the birth of Christ.

He added that the 9-day indulgence or privilege granted by the Holy See to celebrate the nine votive masses of the Virgin Mary at dawn prior to Christmas in order to thank God for the gift of Catholic faith and intercede for its preservation in the Philippines. 

Interestingly the Simbang Gabi celebrated at daytime (or beyond 6 p.m.) is celebrated without the Gloria and with purple vestments and advent hymns while the dawn masses are celebrated with the Gloria and white vestments and festive liturgical hymns, Villegas noted.