“MISA DE GALLO”

Whenever the “-ber” months (e.g. September, October, November, and

December) of the year set in, for us Christians, it means that Christmas is fast approaching and
for some it has in fact come, which feels every day is Christmas . That is why everywhere you
will hear Christmas carols being played and the Christmas spirit dominating the air. Everyone,
not only children, begin to flock to malls and shopping centers to buy Christmas decors and
ornaments to adorn their houses; these include Christmas trees, star-shaped lanterns or “parol”
and cribs “belen” are signs that someone is coming, and that is why does people prepare
physically for the coming of our savior. For us Christian, preparation physically is not enough;
we also prepare our hearts spiritually. One of the religious traditions, as part of preparing our
hearts is “Misa de Gallo.” That is the course of this article, to know more about this tradition.
We tried also to dig its theological background, spirituality, the canonical basis and their pastoral
reason as well, on why we keep this tradition. Partly, we will somehow answer these possible
questions that probably linger in our mind: we try to distinguish if there is a difference between
the Aguinaldo Mass and Misa de Gallo? What are votive Masses? How do Aguinaldo Masses fit
into this description of votive Masses since it seems to be a liturgical celebration confined to the
Philippine churches? How did these votive Masses start in Spain? What other details are
mentioned in those documents shed light on the nature of the Aguinaldo masses? How did the
practice of the Aguinaldo Masses reach the Philippines? Was the practice of the Aguinaldo
Masses uninterrupted since then? How did the Aguinaldo masses resume after 1689? What then
is the main reason or intent of the celebration of the Aguinaldo Masses? These are questions that
along way answered. And so, this form of religiosity is still very much alive in our midst
nowadays.
And these are the contentsof the group researched:
I. Historical
II. Theological
III. Spiritual
IV. Canonical
V. Pastoral

I. History
Misa de Gallo is a religious tradition began with the coming of the Spanish
missionaries. The Philippines as a former colony of Spain shares and faithfully preserves of its
colonizers’ religious traditions, putting on local meaning and festivity. For example, we have
what the Spaniards called “Misa de Gallo,” or “Simbang Gabi” which is one of the longest and
most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across
the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to
the Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena
begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on
Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the
“panuluyan” is re-enacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

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The spirit is very much in contrast with the Advent liturgy, which, though its mood is one of
joyful expectation, yet calls for restraint in the use of “Gloria”, musical instruments,
ornamentations; the use of purple vestment reminds us also of exercising some restraints in our
liturgical celebrations. Moreover, every year, from December 16 to 24, parish churches and
barangay chapels abound with people from all walks of life for a pious exercise that has become
so popular among Filipino Catholics all over the world.1 This form of popular piety is known as
“Misa de Aguinaldo”, also called “Simbang Gabi”.2
The “Simbang Gabi” is the nine-day novena masses in preparation for Christmas
begin on December 16. They are called Aguinaldo Masses or Misa de Gallo. Misa de Gallo is
Spanish for Mass of the Rooster. The name is apt because the mass take place at dawn (4:30am
is the common time) when roosters begin to crow. Aguinaldo is Spanish for gift. It calls to mind
the gift of the magi, but above all Jesus who is the gift of God to his people.“Simbang Gabi”
traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria,
prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the
Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass. During
the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural
areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the
town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather
the faithful to attend the Misa de Gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the
Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
Until today, the Philippine Church continues to cling strongly to centuries-old
tradition of celebrating the “Aguinaldo Masses”, with undiminished attendance and festive joy,
for the same reasons adduced in ancient times, but with some changes and trends caused by the
changing lifestyle and circumstances in our society. We refer to the time and places of their
celebration. Some Masses are now being celebrated in the evening, and not only in churches and
chapels, but also in malls and commercial centers.
Is there a difference between the Aguinaldo Mass and Misa de Gallo?The Misa de
Gallo refers to the Midnight Mass celebrated on December 24. The Aguinaldo Masses are the
votive Masses celebrated in the early hours of the morning nine days before Christmas. Actually
the term Aguinaldo is a Spanish word mentioned above which means a Christmas gift, or a gift
given during Christmas Day, New Year’s Day or the feast of the Three Kings. There is no
agreement among the experts as to why the early morning votive Masses before Christmas are
called Aguinaldo masses. Apparently, either it could mean offering nine Masses to God on
occasion of the birth of His Son, or it could also mean the rejoicing of the Church for the gift of
His Son.3 And what do the votive Masses? According to Fr. Villaroel, OP., those in simple

1For others, the novena of Masses is from December 15 to 23 due to the curfew enforced during Martial Law by the
Marcos Government; the evening onward of December 24 is the celebration of Christmas. The period
from December 15 to 23 continues to be retained by some pastors until today in order to respond to and
accommodate the people’s clamor for Misa de Aguinaldo in their barangay chapels
2
Both in Spain and in the Philippines, these Masses “de Aguinaldo” were celebrated in the early hours of the
morning. As early as the 17th century, they are said to be celebrated “summo mane” (= very early in the
morning), “ad auroram” (= at dawn), and “antequam dies illuxerit” (= before daybreak). They are
celebrated, both on weekdays and Sundays, and, like solemnities, festive and solemn elements like
“Gloria” and “Credo” are sung.
3
Fidel Villaroel, O.P, The Aguinaldo Masses: Origins, Setbacks and Survival (Philippiniana Sacra, Sept.-Dec.
1999), Vol. XXXIV, no.102.

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terms, these are Masses, which the official Liturgy of the Church leaves to the choice of the
priest celebrant who follows a special liturgical text and offers the Mass for particular intentions.
Examples of votive Masses are: masses for the dead, in times of natural calamities, or civil
disturbances, for groups of persons (sick, migrants, etc), for a good harvest. Other types are those
in honor of saints who are considered special intercessors for obtaining spiritual or temporal
benefits. Still others are for living in a special manner some aspect of the Christian mystery like
the Eucharist, the worship of Blessed Trinity or to honor specially the Blessed Virgin Mary. The
liturgical text for votive Masses is included in the universal Roman Missal used by the Latin rite
all over the world.4 But, how do Aguinaldo Masses fit into this description of votive Masses
since it seems to be a liturgical celebration confined to the Philippine churches? Actually, the
Aguinaldo Masses are special votive Masses in honor of Mary introduced by the particular
church in some parts of Spain, Mexico and in the Philippines. Over time, these celebrations had
been recognized by the Supreme Authority in the Church as privileged votive Masses celebrated
for grave and weighty reasons and with big attendance of the faithful. This official recognition
translates into the privilege of celebrating these votive Masses as daily Masses for the Advent
season.5 However, how did these votive Masses start in Spain?There is no precise dating of the
origin of the Aguinaldo masses in some parts of Spain. There is documentation (e.g. the Pope
Sixtus V‘s granting of indulgences to those who participate in these Masses) to support that these
Masses were being celebrated in the last decades of the 16th century. Other documentation exists
that say that these Masses were celebrated very early in the morning, at dawn or before daybreak.
From these documents it is clear that in Seville and Granada, Aguinaldo masses were celebrated
during the 17th century.What other details are mentioned in those documents shed light on the
nature of the Aguinaldo masses?Firstly, these were celebrated nine days before Christmas. They
were celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the celebration was solemn (with Gloria
and Credo); there was a great popular devotion to these Masses and were offered for grave
reason or intention- for the recently sowed fields and the well-being of the whole people.6How
did the practice of the Aguinaldo Masses reach the Philippines?Again, there is no precise record
of when the Aguinaldo masses started in the Philippines. What is clear is that from Spain,
through Mexico, where it was well established in the 16th century, the religious missionaries
brought this practice to the Philippine islands. There is a written record by Fr. Ignacio Francisco
Alcina, S.J. that Aguinaldo masses were already being celebrated in some parts of the
Philippines in the beginnings of the 17th century. 7Was the practice of the Aguinaldo Masses
uninterrupted since then?There was a period of about 9 years (1680 – 1689) when the practice of
the Aguinaldo Masses was discontinued by order to the Archbishop of Manila Felipe Pardo. He
simply implemented an order from Rome to suppress the Aguinaldo masses in Spain, the Azores
Islands, Mexico and the Philippines. The cause of the suppression (in 1677) was the abuses
resulting from the behavior of the assembly and the choir that were considered very improper for
religious celebrations and places in the diocese of Seville.8 But then, how did the Aguinaldo
masses resume after 1689?There are no records of the exact year or the official authority that
permitted the Masses again. What is accepted is that from then on the Aguinaldo masses were
celebrated without interruption until our times. The First Plenary Council of the Philippines

4
Cf. Ibid.
5
Cf. Ibid.
6
Cf. Ibid.
7
Cf. Ibid.
8
Cf. Ibid.

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(1953) stated that “There is a legitimate tradition in these Islands coming from ancient times to
celebrate the Masses popularly called de Aguinaldo Masses for the perseverance of Filipinos in
the Christian faith and for the preservation of religion in this area of the world. For nine days
preceding the Nativity of Christ the Lord, the solemn votive Mass RorateCoelidesuper is sung
with great solemnity and with massive attendance by the people, one Mass every day in the
churches.”9 And so, what then is the main reason or intent of the celebration of the Aguinaldo
Masses?The “grave reasons” that our ancestors in Spain, Mexico and the Philippines adduced for
celebrating these Masses, were the same reasons repeated in the Plenary Council of the
Philippines (1953). These same reasons apply up to the present time: perseverance of the Filipino
nation in the faith and the preservation of our holy religion in this part of the world, as stated by
Fr. Edgar F. Soria, JCD, in his research dated Dec 15, 2008.

II. Theological

These 9 simbanggabi masses are novenas offered as a devotion to the Blessed

Virgin Mary honoring her motherhood. Previously God, who has neither a body nor a face but
now has made himself visible in the flesh and has lived with men because Mary said “YES.” So
it is with great gladness that we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary who because of her “yes”
became the instrument of God to bear Christ, and bring the Savior to the world. It is with joyful
anticipation that we celebrate Jesus; man’s creator has become man, born of the Virgin Mary.
We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share our
humanity.

The liturgical year is the celebration of the memory of Christ’s paschal mystery
every week or Sunday and once a year during the Easter Triduum. It unfolds the mystery of
Christ from his incarnation to his second coming. The liturgical constitution clearly defines as
the theological content of the liturgical year the saving work of Christ, the mystery of
redemption, the whole paschal mystery of Christ, which the Church celebrates every eighth day
and in the course of the liturgical year, and proclaims during the feasts of the Blessed Virgin
Mary and the saints.10 From these conciliar texts we may say that the whole paschal mystery,
which enfolds the whole mystery of Christ from his incarnation to Pentecost and his second
coming, permeates the entire liturgical year. Thus, the paschal mystery of Christ serves as the
axis around which revolves the liturgical year. All liturgical feasts, inclusive of those
commemorating the various aspects of Christ’s life as Christmas and Easter, center on this same
mystery.

Our Filipino celebrations of the liturgical year reflect forms of popular religiosity
that have arisen and been accepted throughout the ages. They are a sure sign of the extent to
which the faith has taken root in the hearts of our people and of its influence on the daily lives of
the faithful. Regarded as a treasure of the Church, our popular pious exercises allow our people
to express our faith and our relationship with God and Providence, with Our Lady and the Saints,

9
Cf. Ibid.
10
Cf. SacrosanctumConcilium [SC] 102, 104, 106, and 107.

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with neighbors, with the dead, with creation and strengthen membership of the Church. 11 They
are a testimony of the faith of the simple of heart, underlining the one or the other accent without
pretending to embrace the whole content of the Christian faith. Our popular religiosity is a living
reality in and of the Church; its source is the constant presence of the Spirit in ecclesial
communities; its reference point, the mystery of Christ; its object, the glory of God and the
salvation of man; and its historical moment, the joyous encounter of the work of evangelization
and culture. 12 The Church, for her part, does “respect and foster the qualities and talents of the
various races and nations. Anything in these people’s way of life which is not indissolubly bound
up with superstition and error, she studies with sympathy, and, if possible, preserves intact. She
sometimes even admits such things into the liturgy itself, provided they harmonize with its true
and authentic spirit”.13 If, on the one hand, popular religiosity must not take the place of liturgy,
liturgy, on the other hand, does not eliminate the other forms of expressing the faith in Christ the
Savior.14 Likewise, it is important to recall that popular religiosity finds its natural crowning in
liturgical celebration, toward which it has to be ideally oriented, even if habitually it does not
flow into it.15This popular religious custom is considered among the oldest and the most
venerable religious traditions in our country. In contrast to the sober character of the Advent
liturgy, these Masses are festive in character and are said with special solemnity: the “Gloria”
and, before, also “Credo” as well as Christmas carols, are sung even on the 3rd and 4th Sundays
of Advent (but only during the Misa de Aguinaldo), white vestments are used even on Sunday,
the church and sanctuary are festively decorated, and approved musical instruments are played.16
Nowadays, if any of these days fall on Sunday, the Mass formularies and readings are those of
Sunday.17 The intention for the celebration of the “Misa de Aguinaldo” is: “pro
constantiaIndorum in fide et pro religionisconservatione in his partibus, quae causagravissima
sane et pubblicaest; quippe maxima est ratio quae pro Religionemilitat.” It is translated as: “for

11
Cf. Pontifical Council for Culture, PerunaPastorale de la Cultura (CittaVaticana, 1999) 28.
12
Cf. John Paul II, Homily given at the Shrine of the Virgin Mary of Zapopan (1979) 2.
13
Cf. SC 37.
14
Cf. Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Directory on Popular Piety and the
Liturgy.Principles and Guidelines.Interventodel Card. Jorge A. Medina Estevez, II.
15
Cf. John Paul II’s Message on 21 September 2001 at the Plenary Meeting of the Congregation for Divine Worship
and Discipline of the Sacraments, nos. 4-5.
16
The Alcina report tells us that even Christmas carols were sung at the “Misa de Aguinaldo” in the Visayas and
perhaps even in Manila where he had stayed for a total of four years during his ministry in the Philippines.
Cf. C. Kobak, OFM and P. Fernandez, “Alcina’s Report on the Celebration of Feast in 17th Century Samar
and Leyte” in Philippiniana Sacra, XVI, 46 (January-April, 1981), 134-137; also C. Kobak, “The Great Samar
Leyte Bisayan Missionary of the 17th Century” in Philippiniana Sacra, XIII, 39 (September-December
1978). In collaboration with Pablo Fernandez, OP, and Lucio Gutierrez, OP, CantiusKobak, OFM, published
in its original Spanish with parallel English versions in Philippiniana Sacra (1978) a great part of Alcina’s
“Historia de las Islas e Indios de Bisayas…1668”.
17
Today, there is a question as to which formulary are we going to use in celebrating the “Aguinaldo Masses” on
Sundays, beginning with the Saturday Evening Masses. The Supplement to the Roman Sacramentary says
that “If any of these days fall on Sunday, the Mass formularies and readings are those of Sunday”.

5
the perseverance of the natives in the faith and for the preservation of Religion in this part of the
world; certainly a very weighty reason for the advancement of Religion”. 18 It is to be noted that,
for our people, the celebration of the nativity of our Lord commences with these dawn Masses
from December 16 onward.

III. Spirituality

Filipinos are known for being hospitable. It is manifested when they always give
the best to their visitors. As Filipino,we want our visitors to feel at home with us. We want to
make them feel special. This is seen in the way we prepare for their coming. We clean our home
and prepare good food. In this Advent season we are also preparing for the coming of Jesus this
Christmas. What spiritual preparations have we done? Do you think Jesus will find a home in us
when he comes to visit us? What then should we do? In the same way we also ask, what then
should we do to prepare for the coming of Christ?

On one hand, “Simbanggabi,” or “Misa de Gallo” is a nine-day novena mass in

spiritually preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though sincere devotion and
wholehearted, one would prepare by cleaning his hearts. It is a call to repent for the forgiveness
of our sins. By doing this, we cleanse our hearts so that Jesus might feel at home when he comes
to visit us.19Now, cleaning our hearts by removing from it that which is not of Jesus is also a
spiritual preparation.We prepare by doing good to our neighbour. A clean and honest heart is
always disposed to do good to our neighbour. We begin to think not only of ourselves. The
cleaning of our hearts must bear fruit to lead us to do good to our neighbour.20 It is also a
preparation by keeping our faith that Jesus will come. A clean heart looks forward to the coming
of Jesus. The Gospel tells us that we should rejoice because the Lord is near. Jesus will surely
come. This feeling of joy in anticipating the coming of Jesus is indicative of our faith that Jesus
will come. The spirituality of Simbang Gabi calls us to nurture the spirit of Advent not only as
individual preparation, but to prepare as a community, a family of God united in worship and in
prayer. We bring our families and friends to the Eucharist, joining the entire community in
waiting, and being strengthened by God’s Spirit in preparing for the birth of Jesus. So that on
Christmas, Jesus will come to our hearts to look for a home that will gladly welcome him.

IV. Canonical
18
Cf. Ibid.

19
Cf. Sem. Jonathan T. Cadiz, Jesus in Our Hearts (Manila: The Manila Archdiocesan Homily Guides, 2012), p. 39.
20
Cf. Ibid.

6
 The Simbang Gabi on Sundays continue to enjoy the marks of festivities like the
Gloria and the white vestments, the readings and prayers would have to be of the Sunday of
Advent. Although this complies with the present liturgical rules, this has not been the case with
how the Misas de Aguinaldo was celebrated for centuries. Even Fr. Hernandez said: "Both in
Spain and in the Philippines, these Masses 'de Aguinaldo' were celebrated in the early hours of
the morning. As early as the 17th century, they are said to be celebrated 'summo mane' (= very
early in the morning), 'ad auroram' (= at dawn), and 'antequam dies illuxerit' (= before daybreak).
They are celebrated, both on weekdays and Sundays, and, like solemnities, festive and solemn
elements like 'Gloria' and 'Credo' are sung." The Advent Mass was celebrated in all the other
Masses of the day.As we look into the historical perspective of the subject, the First Plenary
Council of the Philippines, in 1953, applied for a papal indult under the following conditions:
“On the nine days preceding the Nativity of our Lord, i.e., from December 16 to 24, the solemn
votive Mass RorateCoeliDesuper21is sung especially in parish and convent churches, but only
once a day with great solemnity and with a big attendance of the faithful”.22 With the
promulgation of the 1960 Code of Rubrics, the Philippine Hierarchy, under its president
Archbishop Julio Rosales of Cebu, wasted no time and decided to elevate in the same year to the
Holy Father a suppliant letter “humbly asking that, in spite of the promulgation of the new Code
of Rubrics, and for as long as the same grave reason, namely the conservation of the Faith [in the
Philippines] continued, the Aguinaldo Masses be allowed to be sung for nine days preceding the
Nativity”.23 On 24 March 1961, the petition was granted for a period of five years.

V. Pastoral

It is a beautiful Advent tradition that captures the expectant, excited, spiritual

waiting that pervades Advent, the precursor of Christmas. It is a vibrant expression of unity and
community. During Advent, in preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, the missionary
friars held nine days of Masses to usher in the event of Christ’s birth. These Masses were
celebrated in the early morning hours (typically at about 4:00 a.m.!), when the roosters crow to
announce the coming of a new day. During the olden times, the pre-dawn mass was announced
by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi,

21
The Mass formulary “RorateCoeliDesuper” actually falls in the Tridentine Missal under the “Missae de S. Maria
in Sabbato, I. Tempore Adventus” which may also be used as “Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed
Virgin Mary”. In the present MissaleRomanum, editiotypicatertia, it is fund in the “Commune
BeataeMariaeVirginis, II. Tempore Adventus”, which may also be used as “Votive Mass in honor of
Blessed Virgin Mary”.
22
ActaetDecretaPrimiConciliiPlenarii Ins. Phil., Manilae, 1953, n. 356; J. Ylla, OP, Indultos y Privilegios de
Filipinas, UST Press, 1940, p. 24.
For the rest of the other scheduled Masses during this period, Advent has to be observed in its entire
rigor. The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines did not touch this papal gift or “aguinaldo” in
view of the fact that the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments would not
allow even the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception to take precedence over the Advent
celebration when December 8 falls on a Sunday. The rationale for this is that Advent in its totality
may not be violated, in much the same way as Lent is to be kept integral.
23
Cf. Ibid., pp. 470-471.

7
a brass band played Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests
would go as far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful. Farmers as well as fishermen
woke up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work, and ask for the grace of a good
harvest. Simbanggabi then and now: Changing times have not broken the tradition of celebrating
Simbang Gabi. Although it is celebrated in new ways, it still lives on. Part of it is the colorful
lights and lanterns that fill every street. Beautiful “parols” (Star Lanterns) are hung in every
window. Songs of the season, well-loved, old ones and newer, contemporary ones, many in the
Filipino language, are played everywhere to warm the heart. Families, friends, and individuals
find their way to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the Christmas
eve “misa de gallo”, families gather in their homes to celebrate “Noche Buena” (good night) and
feast on various delicacies like queso de bola (cheese ball), bibingka and putobungbong (rice
cakes), or a drink of salabat (ginger tea) or hot coco. Simbang Gabi was brought to the US by
Filipino Americans to share with their communities, the spiritual richness of the celebration.
Many parishes across the country, including those in the Archdioceses of Cebu, celebrate
Simbang Gabi in the very early morning in keeping with the tradition, but can be in the evening
to accommodate working Catholics, so that all can join and participate in the celebration.

The propriety of celebrating the “Aguinaldo Masses”, with all its elements, in the
evening and even more than once in a parish church due to the great magnitude in number and
massive attendance of people, let me share with you the following considerations:

1. In places where the “Misa de Aguinaldo” or “Simbang Gabi” begins on

December 15 and is celebrated in the evening, which formulary are we going to use?Since “Misa
de Aguinaldo” or “Simbang Gabi” is a form of Filipino popular religiosity or popular devotion
expressed not in novena of devotional prayers but in the liturgy, there is no reason why
elements (“Gloria”, festive celebration, white vestment, et al.) of the “Simbang Gabi” may not be
availed of. In fact, these “Misas de Aguinaldo” were tolerated since they were regarded as a
popular devotion, not only in preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s nativity, but also in
honor of the Blessed Mother.

There is only one restriction though: no anticipation of weekday Masses. For

December 15, therefore, the Mass formulary (prayers and readings) proper to the day is to be
used.2. Could we anticipate the “Aguinaldo Masses” on weekdays?We do not anticipate any
Mass except Masses on Sundays, holy days of obligation, or solemnities which have their
own VigilMass and Evening Prayer I. Therefore, Masses on ordinary days or week days
are not anticipated. Hence, the formulary to be used for December 15 onward is the formulary
(i.e., the texts of the prayers and readings) proper to the day.

3. Does the reason given with regard to the celebration of the “Aguinaldo Masses”
in the Philippines, that is, for the perseverance of the nation in faith and the preservation of our
holy religion in this part of the world, still hold? Is it still valid?In the affirmative. There is also a
school of thought which holds that if these Masses were celebrated at dawn to allow farmers to
participate in these Masses before they go to work in the fields, there is no reason why the same
could not be applied to people who have to leave their homes early in the morning for work in
the offices, schools, etc.

8
 4. Rubrics regarding “Aguinaldo Masses” at Dawn:a. For the Mass formulary, use
the Common of the BVM in Advent (“RorateCoeliDesuper”), Gloria, Advent Preface II
[I], white vestments.The Supplement to the Roman Sacramentary provides us with the Mass
formulary (liturgical texts), both the texts of the prayers and the Scriptural readings, for each day
of the “Simbang Gabi”. It likewise says that, at these Masses, the “Gloria” is sung on the 3rd and
4th Sundays of Advent, white vestments are used even on Sunday, the church and sanctuary are
festively decorated, and approved musical instruments are played, but only for the “Aguinaldo
Mass” of that day.b. The CBCP has also approved to permanently assign to December 16
the readings for Friday of the Third Week of Advent:Is 56: 1-3, 6-8 and Jn 5: 33-36. On the other
hand, the Ordo says that “in the spirit of the season, one may lawfully use in these Masses the
Weekday Lectionary” (Roman Missal, General Guidelines 328).

5. Regarding celebrating more than one “Aguinaldo Mass” in a parish church

especially in highly urbanized places (which do not have any other church or chapels to celebrate
the said Mass) due to the magnitude in number of people attending or participating in the Mass
which the church building may not be able to accommodate, there is no reason why this may not
be allowed. It is to be noted that one of the considerations for the granting (to both Spain and the
Philippines) of the indult to celebrate this Mass is the massive and undiminished attendance of
people.

6. Christmas Liturgies in the Absence of a Priest: One of the impressive

expressions of Filipino Catholic faith is the practice of novena Masses in honor of the Blessed
Virgin Mary (Misa de Aguinaldo, Simbang Gabi, or Aguinaldo Masses) traditionally held at
dawn from December 16 to 24. In order not to deprive the faithful who live far away from the
parish church of the spiritual benefits derived from the practice of “Simbang Gabi”, the CBCP
has found it opportune and legitimate to introduce, since 1997, “Christmas Liturgies in the
Absence of a Priest”, similar to the “Sunday Assembly in the Absence of a Priest”. This rite is
offered as a guide for the proper observance of such a celebration. It is, however, understood that
the norms issued by the Holy See and the local Ordinary on the “Sunday Assembly in the
Absence of a Priest” apply in this Christmas liturgy with equal force. Likewise, the Philippine
Bishops have also granted its seal of approval for the faithful to sing the “Gloria” on
the Third and Fourth Sundays of Advent, but only during the “Simbang Gabi” Masses and the
“Christmas Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest”.

7. During the “Simbang Gabi” Masses and “Christmas Liturgies in the Absence of
a Priest” may Christmas carols be sung?In the affirmative, since for Filipinos Christmas begins
not at the Midnight Mass of December 24, but at the start of the “Simbang Gabi”. The Alcina
report likewise tells us that even Christmas carols were sung at the “Misa de Aguinaldo” in the
Visayas and perhaps even in Manila where he had stayed for a total of four years during his
ministry in the Philippines.As requested by the Vicars Forane in their meeting with me last
December 1, 2014 that Liturgical Guidelines for the Aguinaldo Masses be issued for an orderly
celebration of the same, and after consultation with the members of the Board of Consultors and
the Commission on Liturgy, I hereby issue the following Guidelines for the Celebration of Misa
de Aguinaldo in the Archdiocese:

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 1. The Misa de Aguinaldo in parishes must be observed in the Archdiocese because it is a
great source of spiritual nourishment to our faithful. It is obligatory at dawn in consonance with
the tradition. It may be celebrated in the evening but only when there is a pastoral necessity,
2. Permission from the Archbishop is needed if Misa de Aguinaldo is to be celebrated in the
evening. The evening mass of the Misa de Aguinaldobegins on the vespers or evening of
December 15 and ends on the vespers or evening of December 23 so that the nature of a Novena
or nine consecutive days shall be observed.
3. From the beginning the Misa de Aguinaldo has always been celebrated at an early hour,
from 4 to 5 o’clock in the morning. It is this Mass alone that is considered Misa de Aguinaldo.
Other Masses celebrated during the nine days before Christmas are celebrated as Masses of the
Advent season, and should follow the norms of the liturgy of the Advent season. If theMisa de
Aguinaldo is celebrated from 8:00 o’clock in the evening onwards, it should be motivated by
genuine pastoral care for the spiritual benefit of the faithful.
4. The celebration of the Misa de Aguinaldo at other times, e.g., morning, mid-day or late
afternoon Mass, is not in keeping with the liturgical norms and is to be regarded as an abuse.
Therefore, only the dawn and, when pastorally required, the evening Masses are considered Misa
de Aguinaldo.
5. When Misa de Aguinaldo is celebrated in the evening of Saturday and Sunday, one
should take the liturgy of the Sunday. It should be noted that Sunday evening Mass should not
anticipate the weekday Mass of the following day. White vestments are used, the Gloria is sung,
and musical instruments accompany the singing during the Misa de Aguinaldo of Saturday
evening, dawn of Sunday and Sunday evening.
6. For the Mass formulary of the weekday Misa de Aguinaldo, the Common of the Blessed
Virgin Mary in Advent (RorateCoelidesuper), should be used with Gloria, Advent Preface II,
white vestment. TheSupplement to the Roman Sacramentary or The Roman Missal (for the use
in the Diocese of the Philippines) gives us the Mass texts for the prayers and the readings. The
CBCP has approved that the readings for the December 16 Misa de Aguinaldo are from the
Friday of the Third Week of Advent (Is. 56:1-3,6-8and John 5:33-36).
7. The ordinary place for the celebration of the Aguinaldo Masses is the parochial church.
Aguinaldo Masses may also be celebrated in barangay chapels or in the chapels of Religious
Congregations within the jurisdiction of the parish but with the permission of and in coordination
with the parish priest.
8. Misa de Aguinaldo may not be celebrated in malls or shopping centers, unless there is a
chapel in the establishment, where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with frequency and duly
approved by us. We do not allow Misa de Aguinaldo to be celebrated in corridors and hallways
of shopping malls where the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is needlessly exposed to shoppers
that are indifferent to the celebration.
9. Since the Misa de Aguinaldo is a Solemn Votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, it is highly encouraged to honor the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Belen with
solemn incensation and the singing of Marian Hymn, preferably the Alma Redemptoris Mater or
Salve Regina for pastoral reason.
Moreover, to make our homilies during the Aguinaldo Masses in line with theme
of the Year of the Poor and with Pope Francis’ Message of Mercy and Compassion, we are
attaching herewith the Main theme and the daily themes for this year’s Aguinaldo
Masses.Finally, to inform the people what the Year of the Poor is all about during these
Aguinaldo Masses, a 3-minute catechesis prepared by the Caceres Catechetical Ministry should

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be read after the post Communion Prayer. Copies of the 3-minute catechesis will be distributed
later.As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ through the unique
Filipino Catholic tradition Misa de Aguinaldo, may the faith and devotion to Mary, the Mother
of God and INA of all Filipinos, inspire us to receive in our hearts and home God’s priceless
“Aguinaldo” in the person of Jesus Christ.

To sum up, many people believe the completion of the nine-day dawn Masses
would mean the granting of a wish. So, some Filipinos have made it a personal mission not to
miss the dawn Masses so that the petitions and wishes they are praying for would be granted. But
Bishop Villegas said that while personal wishes may be prayed for during Simbang Gabi, the
Catholic faithful must primarily thank God for being Catholics—and for being Filipinos.“Love
of God and love of country go together,” he said.“Simbang Gabi is a tradition of Filipino
Catholicism to thank God that the Philippines are a Catholic country. In addition, thanksgiving is
a petition to God to preserve the Catholic faith in the country,” Villegas said.And while many
Filipinos equate the tradition with festivities and the eating of native delicacies, like
“putobumbong” and “bibingka,” Villegas believes it has not lost its religious meaning, despite its
being too commercialized.Putobumbong (a sticky rice delicacy steamed in wooden tubes) and
bibingka (rice cake) are popular native fare usually sold by vendors outside the churches after the
dawn Mass.“Simbang Gabi was and is and will be a cherished Catholic tradition among
Filipinos,” Villegas said. “Filipino piety will outlive all commercialism and secularism. Not even
the martial law curfew hours or World War II could stop it,” Villegas stressed.The Parishes also
reminded the faithful that Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition widely celebrated because it has
become fashionable.“It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships
among family members or among friends but also because it is the time when our faith is
intensified,” it said.Simbang Gabi traditionally begins on Dec. 16 and ends on Christmas Eve
with the “Misa de Aguinaldo.”The Masses are usually held at 4 a.m., thus the name “Misa de
Gallo,” or Mass of the Rooster, since the rooster crows at the break of dawn. Since the Mass is
held while it is still dark, it is also called SimbangGabi, or night Mass.But for many years now,
the novena Mass has no longer been strictly held before dawn. The Catholic Church has adjusted
to modern urban schedules and agreed, as a “pastoral accommodation,” to hold Simbang Gabi
the night before.One of only two Christian nations in Asia, the Philippines has the longest
Christmas celebration in the world.24Christmas officially begins in the Philippines with the start
of Simbang Gabi and ends on the first Sunday of January, or the Epiphany, which celebrates the
visit of the Three Kings to the Infant Jesus.
Name of the researchers:
MarcelinoRapayla Jr., Arturo Malabarbas, Yovan Ray Hoyumpa, Donald Hinguillo

24
Tina G. Santos, 9-day ‘Simbang Gabi’ starts; it’s worship, faithful reminded (Philippines:Philippine Daily
Inquirer, 2015), accessed on September 1, 2017: https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-
inquirer/20151216/281517930068944.

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