Filipino Catholic community will share Christmas traditions

Intermountain Catholic

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Traditional decorations such as this lantern are part of the Simbang Gabi celebration.

SALT LAKE CITY – The Misang Bayan Filipino Catholic Community will share its Simbang Gabi tradition at nine different parishes throughout the diocese Dec. 15 to Dec. 25. A Mass will be held at 7:30 p.m. each night with the exception of a 4:30 p.m. Mass on Dec. 19 and the Pasko ng Bayan Mass on Christmas Day at 3 p.m.

The Masses will be concelebrated by Father Joe Frez, who was born in the Philippines and ordained in May, and the pastor of each parish. The readings will be in Tagalog, but the remainder of the Mass will be celebrated in English, said Raul Yumul, a member of Misang Bayan and Blessed Sacrament Parish.

"Simbang Gabi is a traditional novena of Masses, or nine days of Masses that usher in Christmas - the birth of Christ," said Yumul, the associate volunteer coordinator at Catholic Community Services. "This novena has been practiced in many European countries since the 15th century. As immigrants from the Philippines, we want to share this tradition but the roots are almost forgotten."

According to Yumul, the Vatican granted a rescript to the Filipino Church to celebrate Simbang Gabi for nine consecutive days before Christmas in the 17th century. After Vatican II, the Filipino Church continued the tradition, which upheld its significant role in the life of the people, he said. "As a country consecrated to Mary, the novena continues to express the loving sentiments of the Filipinos for Mary. But at the same time, Simbang Gabi became a channel to celebrate the Incarnation of the Word – the fruit of Mary’s womb."

Yumul practiced this tradition with his parents in the Philippines, and said the Masses were celebrated outside at 4 a.m. to accommodate the many Catholics. "The novena is a devotion to Mary that is highlighted with the celebration of the Eucharist," he said. "It’s not an Advent novena of Masses, it’s a novena that is part of the Christmas celebration. It’s not the time of day the Masses are celebrated that is important, it’s the essence of the nine Masses that is important."

Many traditions go along with Simbang Gabi, including food that is considered a delicacy, decorations and clothing, said Yumul. "In the Philippines before 4 a.m., there are four or five band members going around the town beating on drums and playing trumpets telling people it’s time for Mass.

"When the Spanish conquered the Philippines, they gave us the baby Jesus and the dying Jesus; the Gospel was not included," said Yumul. "We were evangelized through the innocence of Jesus and the forgiveness of Jesus. The Filipino people appreciate what the Spaniards brought to our country and are excited to attend the Masses. They understand who Jesus is and they appreciate the Catholic religion."

For Filipino children, Simbang Gabi announces Christmas is just around the corner. Remy Machon, a member of Saint Patrick Parish, was 14 when she left the Philippines to come to the United States. She remembers Christmas songs being played as early as September. "Christmas ends with the Epiphany, so the season is very long," said Machon. "I was always excited for the Masses and for midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day it’s tradition for young people to visit their grandparents and godparents and for them to put their hand on our forehead and then give us money. It’s called mano po. In the United States we practice mano po by having the children at Mass have the priest put his hand on the children’s forehead and give them a blessing."