Bishop urges faithful to maintain culture of ‘Simbang Gabi’

DAWN MASS People attend the first of nine dawn Masses at San
Dionisio Chapel in Parañaque City, on the outskirts of Manila in this
picture taken Dec. 16, 2012, to signal the start of the Christmas
season The tradition of dawn Masses dates back to the Spanish era.
The Philippines ismore than 70 percent Catholic. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urges the faithful to honor God and to maintain the Filipino culture by attending “Misa de Gallo” or “Simbang Gabi (dawn Mass).”

According to the bishop, attending Simbang Gabi strengthens the faith of the Filipinos. He also prays for it to continue for the next generations.

“Magsisimula na po tayo ng simbang gabi, ‘yan po ay magandang tradisyon para sa ating mga Pilipino, na siyam na araw na pagsisimba at pagdarasal para sa paghahanda natin sa Kapaskuhan. Sana po panatilihin natin yan kasi yan po ay nagpapatatag ng ating pananampalataya,” Pabillo said over Church-run Radio Veritas on Wednesday.

(We will now start simbang gabi, that is a great tradition for us Filipinos, nine days of attending dawn Mass and nine days of praying for our preparation for the Christmas season. I hope that we can keep this, because it strengthens our faith.)

He urges Filipinos, especially the youth to attend Simbang Gabi starting December 16 to pray and prepare for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Tayo ay magsimba upang tayo ay magparangal sa Diyos upang makinig sa kanyang salita at makiisa sa kanya, hindi lang dahil sa kasama natin ang ating kabarkada at kakilala,” Pabillo added.

(Let us go to the church to honor God and to listen, be one with Him, not just because we’re with a friend or acquaintance.)

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle also said in an interview with Radio Veritas that Jesus Christ is the finest gift a faithful can receive this season, because His birth symbolizes compassion and giving.

Tagle also reminded the public not to celebrate Christmas commercially, but to make others feel our love by symphatizing, and by helping those in need.

“Kaya sana ang Pasko ay hindi lamang maging komersyo kundi maging talagang karanasang espiritwal, karanasang religious. Magnilay tayo ‘Paano ko ba naranasan ang tagumpay ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Kristo sa buhay ko?’ yun ang pasko, at ‘Paano ako magiging daan ng tagumpay naman ni Kristo sa kapwa’ lalo na sa mga nagdurusa?’ yun ay ang pagse-share at pagbabahagi ng diwa ng Pasko,” he said.

(I hope that Christmas will not be only a commerce, but be a spiritual, religious experience. Let us reflect, How did I experience God’s greatness by Christ’s intervention in my life?’ That’s the spirit of Christmas. ‘How can I be a way of Christ to others especially those who are suffering?’ That is sharing of the Christmas spirit.) RAM

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