SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the Philippines.  It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.  The custom lasts for nine days, starting on December 16 up to December 24 during which Filipinos attend dawn masses, usually starting at around 4:00 – 5:00 AM. After the mass, families and friends partake of a hearty breakfast of Filipino pastries and delicacies.  This practice started centuries ago during the Spanish colonial period.  Priests held early dawn masses for the farmers who wanted to attend mass but could not leave their work in the rice fields.  These masses were held before daybreak, hence the Filipino term ‘Simbang Gabi’. This nine-day novena culminates with the ‘Misa de Gallo’ or at midnight on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ

Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because Filipinos need to do so.  It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members and the community but also because it is a time when our faith is intensified.  This is the time when we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Living abroad does not necessarily break the preservation of our Filipino tradition, however, celebrating ‘Simbang Gabi’ outside the Philippines requires some creative planning on the part of its organizers.  In Calgary, because the Filipino community does not have its own church and its members are deeply integrated in the respective parishes where they belong, the success of holding a ‘Simbang Gabi’ novena depends foremost on the availability of parishes willing to host such event.  This year, 10 Calgary Catholic Churches has committed to celebrate the ‘Simbang Gabi’.

Dec.  3  Fri St  Joseph 640 – 19 Ave NW                   7:00 pm caroling    7:30 pm mass

Dec.  4  Sat. St  Patrick 1414 Shawnessy Blvd NW     7:00 pm caroling    7:30 mass

Dec.  5 Sun St  Peters 541 Silvergrove Dr NW          6:30 pm caroling    7:00 pm mass

Dec. 10 Fri. Corpus Christi 404 Northmount Pl NW          7:00 pm caroling     7:30 mass

Dec. 11 Sat. St  Thomas More 15 Templebow Rd NE            7:00 pm caroling     7:30 mass

Dec. 12 Sun St  Famille 1717 – 5 St SW                       5:30 pm caroling     6:00 pm mass

Dec. 17 Fri Ascencion 1100 Berkshire Blvd NW        7:00 pm caroling     7:30 pm mass

Dec. 17 Fri Holy Trinity 1525 – 45 St SE                     6:00 pm caroling     7:00 pm mass

Dec. 18 Sat Sacred Heart 1307 – 14 St SW                     6:30 pm caroling     7:00 pm mass

Dec. 19 Sun    Canadian Martyrs 85 Northmount Dr NW 6:00 pm caroling     6:30 pm ‘Misa de Aguinaldo’

NOTE: Potluck/reception and fellowship will follow after the mass.

To view our last year ‘Simbang Gabi’ pictures, please visit http://simbanggabi.yolasite.com/ ^[1]