Simbang Gabi 2022 at Mary, Mother of God

This year, Mary, Mother of God hosted three Simbang Gabi Masses, one at each parish church!

From the History of Simbang Gabi in our parish programs:

It was about 1689, during the early years of Christianity in the Philippines, that "Simbang Gabi" or "Misa de Gallo" became a Filipino spiritual tradition. During Advent, the preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, the missionary Friars held nine days of Masses to usher in the event of Christ's birth. These Masses were held during the Harvest Season when the farmers had to be in the field at the crack of dawn. The Masses were celebrated typically at 4:00 AM, when the roosters crow to announce the coming of the new day.
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The practical reason behind the missionary fathers' design to hold early Masses were the fact that Filipinos were a farming people and they typically greeted the dawn of a new day in the fields while working the land. The missionary fathers decided that they could implant in the hearts and minds of the people substance of the Catholic religion, preserve the Faith and continue the propagation of the Gospel by integrating a distinctly Filipino custom with the needs of the Catholic worship

The Filipino immigrants brought this tradition with them when they came to the United States. Since it is not practical to celebrate the liturgy at dawn, parishes schedule the Masses at night. While the form of celebration has changed, the substance remains the same.

We are so grateful to the Filipino communities at our parish for continuing this beautiful tradition and making it possible to have it at all three churches. Thank you for all you do for Mary, Mother of God!

Simbang Gabi at St. Thomas of Canterbury (December 15)

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Simbang Gabi at Saint Ita (December 16)

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Simbang Gabi at St. Gregory the Great (December 17)