FILIPINO CATHOLICS GATHER FOR FIRST DAY OF SIMBANG GABI 2024

Catholic traditional Simbang Gabi begins, PNP reported the first day generally peaceful with no untoward incidents (Photo courtesy of Danny Pata/GMA News)

Filipino Catholic trooped to churches early Monday morning for the start of the traditional nine-day Simbang Gabi. The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, deployed 41,000 police officers nationwide as part of its Ligtas Paskuhan Deployment Plan for Simbang Gabi 2024.

Simbang Gabi is a nine-day series of evening/dawn Masses held annually, attended by Filipino Catholics leading to Christmas Day. Anticipated evening Masses began on Sunday and will run until Dec. 23, while dawn Masses will start on Dec. 16 and end Dec. 24.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle previously noted that Simbang Gabi is a deeply-rooted Filipino traditional and expression of filial devotion. “Simbang Gabi is a typical Filipino way of preparing for the great feast of Christmas. For Filipino Catholics, it is above all an expression of their filial devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.” 

He also encouraged faithful's to practice the Simbang Gabi, whether at dawn or in the evening, noting it as a great source of spiritual nourishment. “Throughout the centuries, Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo has been preserved, enriched, and sustained by our people in spite of pastoral and liturgical challenges it underwent.” 

“Today, everywhere in the Philippines, Simbang Gabi is celebrated with great solemnity, with the singing of the ‘Gloria,’ in white vestments, and with Christmas carols and festive ornamentations, in contrast with the sober character of the Advent season,” Tagle added.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Cardinal Pablo David also urged Filipinos to embrace inclusivity, fostering unity among people of diverse beliefs and backgrounds. “Catholics should learn to be one with non-Catholics, fellow Christians, other religions and faith communities, and all fellow human beings.”

He added the significance of delivering meaningful homilies for the traditional nine-day Masses, he reminded priests to focus their messages on the Scripture, rather than personal opinions.

Furthermore, PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said the first day of Simbang Gabi was generally peaceful, with no untoward incident reported to authorities, and early morning Masses were well attended. 

Fajardo said the PNP is not monitoring any threat during the holiday season but noted the national police force will not be complacent. "Continue coordination with other government agencies to make sure we are ready and maintain a pro-active stance to make sure the holiday season is secured and safe.”

Source: ABS-CBN News 

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