To see Simbang Gabi institutionalized at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is being on the right side of history, for me. It is part of our immigrant story in Los Angeles.
I thank the pioneering priests who introduced this cultural tradition, such that now, over 40% of the over 280 parishes in the Archdiocese of LA have Simbang Gabi; as in San Francisco, Florida and even Qatar and Pope Francis celebrated Simbang Gabi in Rome, according to Fr. Rodel G.Balagtas, who introduced it to @Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in East Hollywood. A very animated adult choir, 32 plus would travel from all parts of Los Angeles with flute, cello, violin, guitars and drums to sing the best Pinoy carols under the precise baton of @Pete Avendano, with the best homilists, some came from Chicago, Butuan, and Quezon. Each morning, volunteers would feed us hot soups, congee, hard boiled eggs sandwiches and rice cakes. Those were the golden years of celebrations of GRACE!
Thousands came – it was a full Cathedral. I was teary-eyed watching this livestreamed mass at the Cathedral of Angels in #dtla. With a sore throat, I opted to protect my health and my family, with a baby on the way from my first born.
Archdiocese of LA posted:”Thousands of Filipino Catholics from throughout Southern California will celebrate the beginning of the 20th annual Simbang Gabi, one of the oldest Filipino Christmas traditions, with a special Mass on Sunday, December 15 at 6:30 PM at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., in downtown Los Angeles.
The Mass will be preceded by the “Parade of Parols,” or lanterns, of more than 120 parishes from the five pastoral regions in the tri-county Archdiocese (LA, Santa Barbara and Ventura)
The parols, a Philippine Christmas symbol, will be blessed at the end of the Mass. In the Philippines, the parol is used to light up people’s homes and is carried by parishioners attending Simbang Gabi Mass, or “Mass before dawn.” The procession will also include parols of religious Filipino-American organizations, civic and professional organizations, and government offices, usually led by the Philippine Consulate General.
The Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi dates back nearly 500 years. It begins nine nights before Christmas Eve. An Advent Mass is celebrated before dawn each night in preparation for Christmas.”
Pinoy priests are not professional singers. Yet, they practiced with Pete Avendano and harmonized their voices well to sing two songs, their gift to the thousands of Filipino Americans and friends who came. What a beautiful worship mass, quite generous like Baby Jesus offered us by God.