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Parish delegations brought handcrafted traditional lanterns to the celebration. (Photo by Dennis Callahan/Catholic San Francisco)
December 13, 2018
Simbang Gabi, a devotional tradition of the Philippines heralding the birth of the Lord, was launched in a Mass and rites special to the event Dec. 5 at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Father Eugene Tungol, pastor of Church of the Epiphany Parish, San Francisco, and vicar for Filipinos, was principal celebrant and homilist. More than 1,000 worshippers made up the assembly, including children and others dressed in clothes bespeaking their homeland. Children carry battery-operated candles in the opening procession affirming Christ the light. A choir of singers representing parishes from around the archdiocese led song. The texts of the Mass were in English and Tagalog. Some 50 parishes take part in Simbang Gabi individually and in cooperation with parishes in their vicinity.
Nellie Hizon, a St. Stephen parishioner and active with Simbang Gabi in the archdiocese since 1996, pointed to the importance of the celebration.
“Introduced in the early-1500s by Spanish friars to evangelize the natives of the Philippines, this tradition continues to the present day wherever Filipinos are,” Hizon said.
More than 40 lanterns, usually handmade, are part of the rite.
“The lantern’s original design of five-point star, emulates the star of Bethlehem,” Hizon said. “It is said that in the early days of evangelization, the lighted ‘parol’ identified households being catechized.”
Hizon said the Simbang Gabi commissioning began in 2008. The Mass with commissioning rite recognizes the role of Filipinos, through this tradition, in bringing the light of Christ to the parishes. A novena of Simbang Gabi Masses begins Dec. 16.
The reception that usually follows a Simbang Gabi Mass, depicts the belief that everyone has a place at the table of the Lord, Hizon said.
The Mass was livestreamed by the communications office of the archdiocese and is archived for viewing at bit.ly/ADSFSimbangGabi with previously live streamed liturgies and events.
More than 1,000 worshippers made up the assembly, including children and others dressed in clothes bespeaking their homeland. Parish Simbang Gabi leaders at foot of St. Mary’s Cathedral sanctuary to be sent forth to make ready the way of the Lord, Christ our light. (Photos by Dennis Callahan/Catholic San Francisco)
