by Bobby PilarQ: Ano ang kaibahan ng Misa de Aguinaldo sa Misa de Gallo?
A: Our Simbang Gabi (dawn Masses) is also known as Misa de Aguinaldo (gift Masses) and is commonly confused with Misa De Gallo (cock Mass or Mass of the rooster). The former pertains to the nine consecutive mornings before Christmas beginning Dec. 16 while the latter refers to the Christmas Eve Mass usually at 10:00 in the evening to formally welcome the Birth of our Lord. Simbang Gabi (literally “night worship”) is technically a misnomer because the nine pre-Christmas Masses & novena are usually held at about 4:00 in the morning. But in recent years, the Catholic Church has allowed the holding of the Simbang Gabi in the evening at 8:00. As an anticipated Mass, the first Mass is held in the evening of Dec. 15 and the last, in the evening of Dec. 23. This adaptation was made to entice and accommodate more people on a variety of work schedules and sleeping habits.
It was believed that Misa de Aguinaldo has its origins in Mexico where in 1587, Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, asked the Pope’s permission to hold Christmastide Masses outdoors because the church could not accommodate the multitude that attended the dawn services. When the petition was granted, these Masses became known as Misa de Aguinaldo. In Spanish aguinaldo means a gift. As the word suggest, this nine days observance surely requires our gift of sacrifice and love for the Child Jesus.
In about 1660, Pope Sixtus V decreed that these dawn Masses also be held in the Philippines. To prepare for the Christmas season, the missionary friars held a series of dawn Masses to give the farmers a chance to hear Mass before setting out for the fields. Since then, the Simbang Gabi has become a Filipino religious tradition handed down from generation to generation. The Simbang Gabi ends on Christmas Eve with a midnight Mass (now at 10:00 p.m.) known as the Misa de Gallo. Actually, the early morning Mass which begins at 4:00 in the morning dates back to 1565 when the first Spanish governor-general Miguel Lopez de Legazpi celebrated the first Feast of the Nativity in our country.
Q. Ano naman ang kaibahan ng Noche Buena sa Media Noche?
A. On Christmas Eve, the night of Dec. 24, families will once again fill the churches for the Misa de Gallo. After the Mass, the Filipino family will dine together in what is traditionally called Noche Buena. Many Filipino families take advantage of this occasion to organize family reunions. After the Noche Buena, family members gather for the exchange gifts and the picture taking. On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, families make as much noise together up to midnight. They then dine together again for the Media Noche. In Spanish medianoche means midnight.
Q. How can I make Simbang Gabi part of our family tradition?
A. It certainly is most difficult to get out of bed for nine consecutive mornings at 3:00 to be ready for the 4:00 a.m. Misa de Aguinaldo. Some parishes now offer 8:00 p.m. anticipated Masses and so one doesn’t have to get out of bed so early. For those who are already daily Mass-goers, it will simply mean time adjustment.
Thanks to the introduction of the advance time, Yola and I are able to fulfill this unique Filipino tradition for some years now. We’ve successfully divided our physical & spiritual Advent preparations into two portions. The physical preparations like decors, gifts, etc. are all done by Dec. 14. By Dec. 15 we are free from all the hassle of the season to fully experience the spiritual celebration of “Emmanuel,” God with us. Maligayang Pasko sa Inyong Lahat!
Greetings & Love from Bobby & Yola
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