Filipino-Americans of Marin County in
North Bay, Caifornia will hold a devotional five-day
series of masses called “Simbang Gabi” from December 16 to
20 at the St. Isabella’s parish church at One Trinity Way
in Terra Linda, San Rafael, CA. This is the fifth year
that this Filipino tradition is held in anticipation for
Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was
first introduced in 2009 as deep-rooted Filipino Christmas
tradition. The Latinos have their posada, the Western
countries have their Santa Claus. The Filipinos have their
Simbang Gabi.
In the home country Simbang Gabi is a series of 9-day
early morning masses that start on December 16 and
culminates on Christmas eve. On the last day the service is
called Misa de Gallo, or in Spanish Mass of the Rooster,
so-called because it is the time in the morning when the
rooster starts to crow. It is also called Misa de
Aguinaldo, or Mass of the Gift who is Jesus Christ himself,
God’s gift to humanity.
The Simbang Gabi was introduced in the 16th century by
the Creole Friars sent to the Philippines, then a pagan
country, to Christianize it. The Philippines was
discovered by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator
then under the employ of the Queen of Spain. The Simbang
Gabi was offered as a practical compromise for farmers who
began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in
the fields. Priests started to say Mass in the early
morning instead of the evening novenas. This cherished
Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of
Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
The Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of San
Francisco, which includes Marin county, acknowledges the
ever presence of Filipinos in church services. They are
vital cogs of parish activities especially during the
Christmas season. Church activities are vibrant and alive
because of Filipino parishioners who bring with them their
deeply-rooted Christian faith. They are avid altar
servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members,
collectors, greeters.
The Simbang Gabi is one way of opening doors for unity
among Fil-Ams in the county and to fellowship during the
socials on the last day.
The Filipino-Americans of Northern California
Organization (FANCO) and the staff of St. Isabella parish
are collaborating in the preparation for the “Noche Buena”
on December 20 that includes Filipino delicacies such as
lechon, adobo, lumpia, pancit, puto bumbong, bibingka,
suman, and drinks of salabat.
The Simbang Gabi masses at St. Isabella start at 7 pm
preceded by a Rosary and confessions. Come and celebrate
and be one in welcoming Christ through these five-day
evening masses. For inquiries call the parish office at
415-479-1560.