Simbang Gabi

Every morning Lolo wakes me up at 3 am to get ready to go to the Missa de Gallo, (mass of the rooster) or Simbang Gabi (early morning mass). (see LINK2, Headsup Freerepublic)

This old Philippine custom was a pre dawn mass for nine days (novena) before Christmas, and was early in the morning so that the farmers could attend mass before going to work.

So Lolo wakes me up at 3 am and we walk two blocks to the main street to catch a tricycle to get to the church. If we get there too "late", i.e. after 3:30, there are no seats, although since he is elderly people usually move over for him. The aisles are packed, and people sit outside on steps and curbs or stand outside at the many open doors (three side doors) if they can't get a seat.

The mass is like Sunday, full of hymns and singing. There is a procession up to the altar with the Knights of Colombus in their white shirts and then the choir sings.
The mass is "long" because they sing the Gloria and there is a sermon. At the offertory, the little children bring up envelopes with money and a chose family brings up the bread and wine, while the ushers take the collection.

We still kneel for the consecration, but then stand for the great AMEN and the Our Father. Most people here are in various charismatic groups, so they hold their hands "Orante" (hands at shoulder level, palms up) through the prayer, and at the end the hands go up and then hold the hand of the person next to you for the last few lines.

Communion is packed...the helpers give communion out in the front, at the sides, in the middle, and at the back. In cases like the Simbang Gabi, the helpers go to the side and back doors so those standing outside (where lots of the elderly stand when there is no seating inside) can receive.

This is the Philippines, so people, especially children, are sneaking in and out all the time. Outside, the vendors sell baloons, candles, and candy.

What is interesting is that although whole families go, the church is full of young people. Lots of boys. Afterward, the young people all head for the city square to eat and drink and flirt. Well, that's one way to encourage young men to go to church. Of course, most of the congregation goes home but a lot of them head toward the vendors. We went to buy bibinka, but the line was too long, so we went home to our usual fried egg and fried rice.

The link is about the celebration in Los Angeles, where many Pinoys live. LINK is to another Catholic newspaper.

As you can see in the photo, the old city hall is covered with lights, as is the city square and a lot of the businesses.

Hundreds of thousands of Filippinos will head home for the holidays, so the traffic is terrific, and the trains, ferries and planes are all packed. It's a family time for everyone.

In the evening, the kids come around singing off key (they leave after you give them one or two pesos) and also the small bands come around playing hymns for everyone to enjoy.

As the holiday comes closer, the firecrackers will start...so getting a good night's sleep is hard for me (Lolo just removes his hearing aid, and voila, instant silence).