SIMBANG GABI AND MISA DE GALLO

PART OF SERIES, "PASKO 2025: DISCOVER THE CHRISTMAS"

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Photo: maria ligaya / Pinterest

Introduction

Simbang Gabi (literally "Night Mass") is a cherished nine-day series of Catholic Masses in the Philippines celebrated in anticipation of Christmas. It typically begins on December 16 and culminates with the Misa de Aguinaldo (Gift Mass) on the midnight of December 24 (PULP MAGAZINE, 2025). Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Mass of the Rooster") is a traditional Catholic devotion of Masses held during the Christmas season in Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. In the Philippines, it is a nine-day novena of dawn Masses leading up to Christmas Eve and is also known as Simbang Gabi (Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo), 2024).

Origins

The tradition originated in the 1600s during Spanish colonial rule. It was established as a practical compromise for farmers who began their work in the fields before sunrise to avoid the intense midday heat. In 1587, Pope Sixtus V granted permission for these Masses to be held outdoors to accommodate overflowing crowds. By 1669, it had become a distinct feature of Philippine culture (Hunter, 2020)

Many Filipinos believe that if a devotee completes all nine days of the Mass, a special wish or petition will be granted by God. The novena is a form of spiritual cleansing and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, often dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Modern Day

The novena traditionally begins on December 16 and continues daily until December 24. The Masses are typically held very early in the morning, often around 4:00 or 5:00 AM, to accommodate farmers and fishermen who needed to be in their fields or at sea right after the service (The Tradition of Misa de Gallo in the Philippines, n.d.).

Today, the tradition remains a cornerstone of the world's longest Christmas season. While traditionally held at 4:00 AM, many urban parishes now offer "anticipated" evening Masses (starting December 15) usually take place between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM to accommodate modern work schedules.

Adoption from Some Non-Catholic Christians

Several non-Catholic denominations in the Philippines and abroad have adopted similar dawn service practices to emphasize the spiritual preparation for Christmas. 

Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Indepeniente), heavily practices Simbang Gabi, maintaining many liturgical similarities to the Catholic tradition.

Some Evangelical groups have adopted the practice, often rebranding it as "Dawn Services" or "Christmas Novena Services" to focus on communal prayer and scripture. Various local Protestant congregations have integrated dawn worship services during the nine days leading to Christmas, recognizing their value in fostering spiritual discipline.

While the Catholic tradition often includes a specific devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, non-Catholic adaptations generally focus on the biblical narrative of the Nativity and the Second Coming of Christ. Regardless of the denomination, these services often include traditional Filipino elements such as the display of paróls (star lanterns) and the serving of seasonal delicacies like bibingka and puto bumbong after the service. Due to the Filipino diaspora, non-Catholic Filipino communities in the United States and other regions have introduced these dawn services to their local multi-cultural parishes to build community faith. 

Reference

PULP MAGAZINE. (2025). Pulpmagazine.com. https://pulpmagazine.com/article/629

Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo). (2024, December 6). Diocese of Brooklyn. https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/ethnic-apostolates/filipino/simbang-gabi/

‌Hunter, N. (2020, December 11). The Christmas tradition of Simbang Gabi. U.S. Catholic. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202012/the-christmas-tradition-of-simbang-gabi/

The Tradition of Misa De Gallo in the Philippines. (n.d.). Vista Residences. https://www.vistaresidences.com.ph/blog/the-tradition-of-misa-de-gallo

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