Simbang Gabi: What it’s all about
By Pepin
 |
| Photo Credit: Flickrhivemind.net |
“Simbang Gabi” is a popular Christmas tradition in the
Philippines. It is a nine-day novena mass in preparation for the birth of our
savior Jesus Christ.
People flock big churches and small parishes as early as
four in the morning. Christmas hymns and carols are being sung in the mass, and
the scripture readings are centered on the life of Jesus before and during his
birth.
It is a solemn tradition that intensifies the true meaning
of the season. People become more aware of the parts of the Christmas story and
they are encouraged to reflect on those events.
A midnight mass on the 24th of December concludes
the nine-day novena mass, just before Christmas Day.
Popular destinations for Simbang Gabi in Iloilo City are the
Jaro Metropolitan Catholic Church (Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria) and St.
Joseph the Worker Parish both in Jaro, St. Clement’s Church in La Paz, St. Anne’s
Parish in Molo, Sta. Maria Church in the City Proper, and the Sto. Nino Church,
also located in the city centre.
