Misa de Gallo — Dawn Masses. From the Editorial of Manila Bulletin…
By: Vic Alcuaz
Tags: Holy Eucharist, Tradition, My Catholic Life, Culture, Catholic

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Misa de Gallo — Dawn Masses

From the Editorial of Manila Bulletin Online Edition

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Simbang Gabi or Misa De Gallo, “midnight mass” or “mass of the rooster” comes from the Catholic custom of gathering for celebration of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours of each of the nine days before Christmas.

STARTING after midnight tonight (15 December), church bells will be

ringing very early in the morning until Christmas Day. Today marks the beginning of the Christmas novena, or Simbang Gabi, in Tagalog. For Filipino Catholics the nine-day celebration before Christmas

is a tradition with deep roots in the country’s religious culture.

Literally, simbang gabi means “night worship.” The name

comes from the Catholic custom of gathering for the celebration

of the Eucharist in the pre-dawn hours on each of the nine days

before Christmas. Hence, this celebration is also known by its

popular Spanish name as the misa de gallo, or “mass of the

rooster.” Catholic churches throughout the country will be

ringing their bells around 3:00 or 3:30 in the morning long before

the roosters crow. The origins of this Filipino custom are obscure. Perhaps the

tradition came from Mexico, like many Catholic practices and

devotions found in the Philippines. One old Spanish name for this pre-Christmas series of daily masses is Misa de Aguinaldo. The phrase offers some insight into the meaning of simbang gabi. In

Spanish aguinaldo means a gift. So Misa de Aguinaldo suggests a

gift for the Child Jesus. Whatever its title, this pre-Christmas observance is surely a sacrifice of love for it requires dedication and discipline to get out of bed so early while yet fulfilling all

one’s daily duties. Over the generations, local Filipino faith communities have

creatively adapted simbang gabi.

Photo courtesy of the Manila Bulletin

While only candles and lanterns are used in rural areas, as in centuries past, most churches today have electric lights, lanterns, and sound systems in keeping with

the economic means of the congregation. So amplifiers now blare

the Christmas music and the readings from the World of God and

the Eucharistic prayers. Over adaptations are deeper. For example, many urban parishes now celebrate simbang gabi around 8 or 9 in the evening, not just in the morning, in order to accommodate the needs of people on a great variety of work schedules. The custom is also kept among Filipinos living elsewhere in the world. No

matter how or when this celebration takes place, the annual

simbang gabi provides a strong indication of the depth of Catholicism in the hearts of Filipinos. For those not taking in this celebration, simbang gabi may appear

to be too much noise too early in the morning. But a modicum of

reflection easily allows everyone to gain insight into the deeper

meaning of this celebration. Simbang gabi expresses the faith of

Filipinos who hold the same core belief as all Christians, namely,

that God is present in human history, even in the simple joys and

anxieties of life’s humblest activities. Filipino Catholics who sincerely live their belief in the incarnation merit the respect and admiration of the whole nation. So, let the bells of the Misa de Gallo break the pre-dawn silence of

the whole land. The bells offer a message of hope in God and of

hope for peace on earth.

(This editorial of the Manila Bulletin Online Edition was written in 1999. This year, 2020, has brought about many changes and adjustments in the approach and schedules of these dawn masses in the Philippines. It is advised you check out all parish/church announcements in their respective websites.)

A Happy Christmas to one and all!

Ave Maria!