A lifelog of a well-travelled single parent who had a life extension in 2000, blogs indiscriminately about her journey through life fulfilling unfinished business and promises that will soon complete her existence...

::Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass)

Monday, December 15, 2003

National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians
Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) or Misa de Aguinaldo (Gift Mass), a treasured Filipino tradition, will start tomorrow, December 16 at 4:00 o'clock in the morning, a uniquely Filipino custom dating back nearly 439 years ago, back to the time when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi celebrated the first feast of the Nativitiy in 1565 in the archipelago.

Since then, the Philippines has celebrated the longest Christmas season in the world - from Dec. 16th until Jan. 6th, the Feast of the Three Kings. It begins with nine dawn masses (novena) which will start tomorrow, for nine consecutive nights, before the final midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (Misa de Gallo), after which, families partake of a hearty post-midnight meal called noche buena, which includes the queso de bola (literally "ball of cheese") and hamon (Christmas ham).

After hearing the dawn mass, Simbang Gabi is not complete without native delicacies, like 'bibingka' (rice cake), puto bumbong (finger-shaped violet-colored glutinous rice steamed in small bamboo tubes attached to a steamer), and a nice 'painit' of hot thick cocoa or coffee. I love castañas, by the way...

Christmas 2003 may not be as lavish and elegant as last year but, there's so many things to thank God for for all the blessings and for all our loved ones' good health and happiness, and the most important thing of all, it would be wonderful if all our loved ones will be together this Christmas.

Maligayang Pasko Sa Inyong Lahat (Merry Christmas to all)...

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Posted on December 15, 2003 10:02 PM TrackBack


butterfly Let me know you were here, your thoughts are welcome!

I was recently released from a hospital in which I was assisted toward recovery by several lovely Filipino Nurses. They were not aware our local Catholic Church celebrates a rememberance of
Sinbang Gabi and enjoys many of the fabulous desserts prepared by our Filipino Community after mass. I am working on a 'flyer' to pass on to them when I am able to visit. Their eyes shone with joy in rememberance of the celebrations 'back home'. As many as have the time off have promised to attend this year at our Church. God Bless them all.


Posted by: Martin Folan on October 26, 2005 01:23 AM

It's amazing how very few sites have information on this sort of thing! Thanks! You've helped me a lot on my Christmas report! More power!!! God bless!


Posted by: Chin Senining on October 8, 2005 05:59 PM

I would like to thank you for this entry. I'm a student in California and am doing a research study on Filipino religious traditions, and it is a very difficult thing to find any information on. God bless!


Posted by: Vernabela on February 11, 2005 07:52 AM

Please write responsibly. Thank you!









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