Holiday season novenas scheduled
Simbang Gabi is a devotional novena of Masses traditionally practiced by Roman Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in anticipation of Christmas. Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) is held from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24; typically the Masses begin very early in the morning. The tradition of attending Mass at dawn, to begin the new day with worship, is very strong among the Filipinos. For children, the tradition announces that Christmas is just around the corner. Filipino immigrants have brought this tradition to the United States. In Utah, because of the cold December weather and people’s work schedules, local parishes schedule the celebration at night. "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," according to Raul Yumul, a member of Utah’s Catholic Filipino community and Blessed Sacrament Parish. This is the 15th year that the Simbang Gabi will be celebrated in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Dec. 15, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Sandy, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, San Andres Catholic Church, Payson, 5 p.m. Dec. 17, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Draper, 7 p.m. Dec. 18, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Salt Lake City, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, Salt Lake City, 7 p.m. Dec. 20, Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, West Jordan, 7 p.m. Dec. 21, Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Salt Lake City, 7 p.m. Dec. 22, Saint Mary Catholic Church, Ogden, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church (old church), Park City, 7 p.m. In Mexico, the Christmas holidays begin unofficially with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, honoring the Virgin as she appeared to Saint Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. The festivities are in full swing with the beginning of the posadas — a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter on their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem that is celebrated each evening from Dec. 16 to 24. This novena is nine days of religious observance based on the nine months that Mary carried Jesus in her womb. Traditionally during the posadas, a party is held each night in a neighborhood home. At dusk, guests gather outside the house with children dressed as shepherds, angels and sometimes, Mary and Joseph. An angel leads the procession, followed by Mary and Joseph or by guests carrying images of the holy couple. The adults follow, carrying lighted candles. The pilgrims sing a song asking for shelter, and the hosts sing a reply, finally opening the doors to the guests and offering hot punch, fried rosette cookies known as buñuelos, steaming hot tamales and other festive foods. The party ends with the breaking of a piñata in the shape of the Christmas star. The last posada, held on Dec. 24, is followed by midnight Mass. Dec. 15, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, West Valley City Dec. 16, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Salt Lake City Dec. 17, San Andres Catholic Church, Payson Dec. 18, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Kearns Dec. 19, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Magna Dec. 20, Saint Henry Catholic Church, Brigham City Dec. 21, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City Dec. 22, Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Layton Dec. 23, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Salt Lake City All the posadas, except the one at Our Lady of Guadalupe, will start at 7 p.m. The time for Our Lady of Guadalupe’s posada has not yet been determined. For information, contact the Hispanic Ministry, 801-328-8641 ext. 336.
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