Origins of Simbang Gabi

ORIGINS OF SIMBANG GABI

Two traditions to usher in the event of Christ’s birth developed in the early course of our history.

Some countries in Europe like Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Poland celebrate this mass everyday during Advent.

A second tradition developed in the Latin Church. These countries celebrated the Misa Aurea nine days before Christmas.

Due to strong Spanish influence, the original Simbang Gabi was called Misa Aurea (golden mass or angels’ mass).

In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi masses are celebrated in the early morning hours when roosters crow to announce the coming of a new day, hence, its other name Misa de Gallo. At the first sound of dawn, the local band plays traditional Christmas carols all over town or the sacristan loudly peals the church bells to wake the whole town. The entire family would walk or ride to the nearest church. By 5:00 a.m., the mass is over but the celebration continues with a variety of delicacies enjoyed in the church courtyard.

The tradition continues on in the United States in such areas as Philadelphia, Texas, Chicago, California, New York, Maryland and Virginia. Most Filipino immigrants celebrate Simbang Gabi in the early evening hours varying in several reasons from the weather, sprawl and crawl “traffic”, convenient after work schedules and more participation. The evening mass allows families, especially the youth, in the sharing of our cultural faith tradition with the larger parish body and other neighboring parishes.

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