Simbang Gabi (Mass at Dawn or Evening Mass) during the Christmas season
@soledadclickz (1106)
Philippines
December 14, 2009 10:45pm CST
Tomorrow is the start of a 9-day novena to the Blessed Mother popularly called here in the Philippines as "Simbang Gabi" (literally translated as Evening Mass or Mass at Dawn). The novena tradition starts every December 16 (usually as early as 4am or 5am) and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve. At the church, we normally welcome the birth of Jesus Christ by playing the "panuluyan." It's a reenactment showing the efforts of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace for Jesus.
My husband and I plan to complete it this year. It is believed that your wishes do come true once you are able to complete the 9-day novena. My mother once told us that she completed the 9-day novena for my husband and I to pass our bar and board examinations, respectively. I believe that there's nothing bad in believing for miracles as long as you also do your share towards the fulfillment of your wishes. Remember, "God helps those who help themselves."
Do you have the same practice in your country? Did you experience any fulfilled wishes because of completing the 9-day Simbang Gabi novena?
4 responses
@LazyOne (13)
•
15 Dec 09
Hello! I am from the Philippines and yes I do attend Simbang Gabi. In fact I just got home from Greenbelt Chapel in Makati City where I attended the first Simbang Gabi mass. Yes, they administer anticipated mass there.
As to the belief that wishes come true if you get to complete night straight evening masses, my answer is "yes". The first time I completed evening masses gave me my dream job - and that is to work for the country's biggest accounting firm.
This year I also intend to complete the nine evening masses before Christmas.
1 person likes this
@soledadclickz (1106)
• Philippines
15 Dec 09
Wow, that's great news. My husband actually suggested we also attend the anticipated mass tonight. But I disagreed because I want to do more sacrifice by waking up very early in the morning.
By the way, it's good to hear that you've got your dream job by attending the novena masses. Did you specifically asked for it or it was given to you unexpectedly?
@soledadclickz (1106)
• Philippines
15 Dec 09
Oh, really? Well, anything is really possible if we keep our faith and believe in the power of prayers.
I would like to achieve so many things this year and I don't know what specific requests to ask from God. Maybe I'll just religiously attend the novena masses and have faith that God would know what's best for me and my family.
@LazyOne (13)
•
15 Dec 09
Well, I specifically wished that during that time. But I never really expected it would come true. Seven months after completing evening masses I went to Makati to apply for a smaller accounting firm. But as I walk to the MRT Station, as passed in front of the building of my dream Company and thought, why don't I submit my resume there. Few hours after the HR personnel called my on my cellphone and a day after I am immediately hired! And the rest was history. =)
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@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
16 Dec 09
Yes I agree on your post. There is no wrong on making wishes as long as you do your share to make it happen. There are no explanation behind wishes when you complete the simbang gabi. I also believe in that before but I do not believe on it now. Me, things happen for a reason, and God give his blessings to those who help themselves as you said. I attented the mass early this morning at 4am,there are only few people at the first part of the mass but during Homily there are lots of people attended, meaning they were late to arrive at the mass. This mass is equally anticipated and there are still late to arrive. I guess that is a part of our culture, being late even at mass.
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
16 Dec 09
I have observed that kind of people before. They treat mass as a movie. The end part of the mass is really important, you have to stay until the end.
@soledadclickz (1106)
• Philippines
16 Dec 09
Hi. My husband and I attended the 4:30am mass at the San Roque Parish in Pateros. We arrived there 30 minutes before the mass begins but we were surprised that there were already a lot of people. There was an ongoing mass which started at 3am. Live video feed of the ongoing mass was provided for the church-goers hearing the mass outside the church.
After the first mass, we went inside to attend the 4:30am mass. We were standing during the entire mass celebration due to the enormous number of people inside. In the middle of the mass celebration, we have observed an entire family, consisting of almost 6 to 8 people, already leaving out of the church. I overheard from one of them that they have already heard that part. Obviously, they arrived late for the 3am mass and continued the service by attending the 4:30am mass. Can you imagine, they treated the mass like a movie?!? Starting and ending their mass attendance at varying parts of the mass. So sad...
@soledadclickz (1106)
• Philippines
16 Dec 09
I agree. Our family is not really that religious, but we make it a point to start and end the mass on time. I believe this is a basic courtesy to our God.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
15 Dec 09
This is a beautiful practise and I do hope you complete it this year and have your wishes fulfilled. Do you fast in these nine days?
We too have many rituals which asks for such days long celebrations. Many fast for days and eat only after their wishes are being fulfilled. I have never stayed in empty stomach and do not quite believe in this. I, like you, would rather work hard towards the fulfillment of our dreams rather than not doing anything to see it come true. Having said this, I appreciate others believing in stuffs they believe in. I just wish people here be little more rational in their beliefs. The mood of love, mirth and celebration is something worth it at the end of it all.
Enjoy, have fun and do all the stuffs that you make you happy. Blessed be and happy holidays. 
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@soledadclickz (1106)
• Philippines
15 Dec 09
Hi. I have not attended the novena for almost eight years now because of conflicts with my work schedules. That's why I'm so excited to attend the novena masses again.
You are right, people should always do their part in achieving their dreams and should not just depend fully on miracles.
Thanks for the best wishes and holiday greetings. By the way, I've learned a new word from your response - "mirth." According to my friend Merriam Webster, it's meaning is "gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter." I like learning new words as English is not my mother tongue. Thanks again.
@incredibleDNA (1742)
• Philippines
16 Dec 09
Oh, I was suppose to start this discussion but I just woke up.lol Yes, we heard the mass early this morning (4am) and there are really lots of people who have attended the 1st night of Evening Mass.. Though I haven't completed any of this for years, I still believe that miracles could happen in any other way.
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@soledadclickz (1106)
• Philippines
16 Dec 09
Hi. We were also surprised at the enormous number of church-goers. There was live video feed provided outside the church.
Like you, I have never completed any Simbang Gabi novena in the past. I hope I could complete it this year. I don't have any material requests this year. I just prayed for the health of my entire family. I know that we could do better in 2010 if we are all in good health condition.
How about you, do you have any requests that you wish to fulfill by completing this year's 9-day novena Simbang Gabi masses?
