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Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo)
December 16-24, 2007 at 5 a.m.

A Filipino Advent Tradition (11 th annual) of 9 Novena Masses
to Usher in Christ's Birth

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
3304 Washington Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201, close to Clarendon Metro (Map/directions)

This year's celebrants

As a parish, St. Charles celebrates our diversity. We welcome the many gifts that different cultures bring to our community of faith. We are greatly enriched by the understanding they bring....that however different we seem to be from one another, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. See photos from Simbang Gabi 2005.

 

Simbang Gabi (Night Masses) "Simbang Gabi," literally translated as "Mass of the Night," is a 400-year-old Christmas tradition of the Philippines - where the yuletide season starts as early as September and lasts until the feast of the Three Kings in January. It is a 9-day novena of Masses from December 16 - 24, to usher in the birth of the Christ. So called by the Tagalog-speaking population in the island of Luzon, in other parts of the country it is known as "Misa de Gallo," or "Mass of the Rooster" - perhaps because only roosters are up so early! The Masses are also referred to as "Misa de Aguinaldo," or "Gift Mass." Introduced in the 17th century by Spanish missionaries, the Masses were held in the pre-dawn hours so farmers and fishermen, who started their labor for the day early, could take part as well. In fact, flickering candles from the star-shaped Christmas lanterns known as "parols" would adorn the outside of humble homes to light the way for the early-morning churchgoers on their way to "Simbang Gabi". Even today, the "parol" is so much a part of the tradition. And so, Filipino immigrants bring this tradition with them wherever they go. It is no surprise that they brought it here to the United States. There are many other "Simbang Gabi" Masses, all of them are in the evening. Only at St. Charles in Arlington, Virginia does the tradition of Masses at the break of dawn for 9 days continue. How it Began It is not easy keeping a tradition alive. It started rather simply in 1997 when a couple asked the then-new pastor if they could hold the dawn Masses in the parish. The good father gave his blessing. No more than half a dozen families participated in the beginning. In fact, any day where there were 2 or 3 dozen at the Masses was considered quite a success. By 2006, over a hundred people came every single day - the number more than doubling on the weekends. With the nurturing and nourishment of the community, the tradition is alive and well in the parish. In many ways, Simbang Gabi here at St. Charles is an activity that goes beyond the boundaries of the parish. It draws many Filipino families from outside the parish yearning to continue their observance of this beloved tradition. St. Charles has hosted this annual celebration for more than a decade now, and as more and more non-Filipino parishioners embrace the tradition, it has become truly a parish event in more ways than one. What You Can Expect The Masses are in English, celebrated by our parish clergy as well as visiting priests. Some prayers and carols are in Pilipino. But no matter the language of your birth, when we all sing and pray from our hearts, we can only realize how truly universal our faith is. The current Missal is observed, and there is a short novena after communion every Mass. In keeping with tradition, attendees enjoy hot food and drinks after every Mass. We hope that you come and join us. What else would you do at 5:00 a.m. on a December morning? At 5:00 o'clock in the morning, there may not be much pomp or circumstance, but we all will have our simple faith.

Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007 - Fr. Jack O'Hara Monday, Dec. 17 - Fr. Gerard Creedon Tuesday, Dec. 18 - Fr. Steve de Leon, S.V.D. Wednesday, Dec. 19 - Fr. Anselm Malonda, C. I. C. M. Thursday, Dec. 20 - Fr. Ramon Baez Friday, Dec. 21 - Fr, Thomas Otanga, O.C.D Saturday, Dec. 22 - Fr. Pete Literal Sunday, Dec. 23 - Fr. Andy Gonzalo, C. I. C. M. Monday, Dec. 24 - Fr. Jack O' Hara About Our Celebrants... Fr. Gerard Creedon, originally from Ireland, is the Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington, Va., where our annual dawn Masses are held. He gave us his blessing 11 years ago, and continues to support the tradition. His passion for social justice drives his tireless advocacy. Fr. Jack O'Hara is the Parochial Vicar of St. Charles Borromeo, who served for 4 years in the diocesan mission in Banica, the Dominican Republic. He also headed Catholic Charities for 10 years. He warmly welcomes the observance of this Christmas tradition, so don't be surprised to run into him even on mornings when he is not saying the Mass. Fr. Ramon Baez, is from Puerto Rico and currently a Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony de Padua Parish in Falls Church, Va. He graciously accepted our invitation to join us again this year. Fr. Anselm Malonda, C.I.C.M., is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He went for studies in San Antonio, TX, and ministered for 14 years in Brownsville, TX. He is the Provincial Superior of Missionhurst here in Arlington. Fr. Steve de Leon, S.V.D., is from Manila, Philippines and currently with the Star of the Sea Parish in Virginia Beach, Va. He will once again celebrate this joyous tradition with us all the way from the Richmond diocese. Fr. Pete Literal is a priest of the Archdiocese of Lipa, Batangas, Philippines, and has been in the ministry for 28 years. He is currently based in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC., but works full time as the Program Examiner, Religious Services Section, Program Review Division, Central Office, Federal Prison Chaplaincy Services, Federal Bureau of Prison. Fr. Andy Gonzalo, C.I.C.M., is from Baguio, Phiippines and did missionary work for 16 years in The Congo Republic. He is currently based at Missionhurst in Arlington while he pursues further studies. Fr. Thomas Otanga, O.C.D., is from Kenya and currently a graduate student at Catholic University.