Here is the list of churches across the Philippines that offer the live-streaming of Simbang Gabi masses for the faithful who wish to observe the Filipino Christmas tradition in the safety of their own homes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Novena Masses, also known as Aguinaldo Masses, Misa de Gallo, or Simbang Gabi, traditionally held at dawn from December 16 to 24 are powerful expressions of the Filipino Catholic faith. Because of community quarantine, churches around the Philippines have started streaming the Holy Mass for Catholics who want to hear Mass at home.
Thanks to live-streaming options, devout Filipinos can still practice the long-held Christmas tradition of Simbang Gabi with their loved ones through virtual platforms.
The Philippine Catholic church has also released online and offline guidelines on the celebration of the Simbang Gabi for this Christmas season.
The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel in Calaca, Batangas, recommends the following preparation prior to celebrating the online Holy Mass:
- Before the mass, look for the reading of the day to help you better understand once they are proclaimed during the celebration.
- Dress up properly. Change out your pajamas or usual home attire and fix up your face and hair.
- Remove distractions. Please turn off your phones and other gadgets or put them in silent mode.
- Pray, Respond, and sing. Maintain a reverent gesture throughout the Mass by sitting, standing up, or kneeling properly. Do not just watch the Mass. Join in prayers by responding and singing.
- Act of Spiritual Communion. This is our unique and blessed moment with the lord. So recite this prayer from the heart because the actual communion is not possible.
- Oratio Imperata. Join the priest in this prayer. Pray also for our frontliners and leaders.
Here are Simbang Gabi mass schedules to guide you in celebrating the Holy Mass online with your loved ones:
1. Manila Cathedral
Intramuros, Manila
Manila Cathedral, also known as the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception inside the historic Walled City of Intramuros, is the premier church of the Philippines. Manila Cathedral live-streams all celebrations via its official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
- Simbang Gabi – 8:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.
- Christmas Eve Mass – 8:00 p.m.
- Christmas Day Mass – 8:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 4:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve Mass – 8:00 p.m.
- New Year’s Day Masses – 8:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 4:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.
2. Quiapo Church
Quiapo, Manila
Quiapo Church, also known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is home to the 17th-century life-sized image of the Black Nazarene and is a center for the pilgrimage of Filipinos from all over the Philippines.
The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene streams Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo via Facebook.
Here is the Quiapo Church’s official live-streaming schedule:
- Simbang Gabi – December 15-23 – 6:00 p.m.; 7:15 p.m.; 8:30 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo – December 16-24 – 4:00 a.m.; 5:15 a.m.; 6:30 a.m.
3. Baclaran Church
Redemptorist, Baclaran, Manila
The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help also known as the Redemptorist Church or colloquially as Baclaran Church on Redemptorist Road, Baclaran in Parañaque, regularly streams Novena and Masses every Wednesday and Sunday.
- Simbang Gabi – starting December 15 at 8:00 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo – December 16-24 at 4:30 a.m.
4. Barasoain Church
Malolos, Bulacan
The recently restored historical Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, is a church recognized for its importance in history as the seat of the first Philippine republic. It is also renowned for its significance in Philippine History during the late Spanish and early American periods.
Barasoain Church live-streams Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo on Facebook and their official YouTube channel.
- Simbang Gabi – December 15-23 at 7:00 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo – December 16-24 at 4:30 a.m.
5. Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church
Kawit, Cavite
St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church in historical Kawit, Cavite is one of the oldest standing centuries-old churches in the Philippines with a unique Christmastime tradition every December 24th – the MAYTINIS.
The Maytinis is a parade of floats bearing local personalities and sometimes national celebrities garbed in biblical-times-attire, depicting characters from the bible and their role in the story of salvation and Jesus Christ.
Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo schedule via Facebook live-streaming:
- Simbang Gabi – December 15-23 – 5:00 p.m.; 6:30 p.m.; 8:00 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo – December 16-24 – 4:00 a.m.
6. Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel
Calaca, Batangas
The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel holds the following online masses on Facebook:
- Simbang Gabi – December 15-23 at 6:00 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo – December 16-24 at 5:00 a.m.
7. St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Station
Apitong, Tacloban City, Leyte
St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Station holds the following online live-streaming of Holy Masses on Facebook:
- Simbang Gabi – December 15-23 at 7:30 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo – December 16-24 at 4:30 a.m.
Drive-in Holy Mass is offered in the Tacloban City parish. Drive-in holy mass church-goers may attend via FM frequency 92.7 during the entire celebration of the mass.
8. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu
Pilgrim’s Center, Osmeña Blvd, Cebu City
Established in 1565, the country’s oldest Roman Catholic Church announced to devotees their schedule of Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo for this year which will all be streamed live on Facebook and the parish’s official YouTube channel. The Basilica will be in the center of the Philippine church’s Quincentennial Celebrations in 2021.
Here is the live-streaming schedule for Cebu City’s Santo Niño church:
- Simbang Gabi starting December 15 at 7:30 p.m.
- Misa de Gallo from December 16 to 24 at 5:00 a.m.
Last year, Pope Francis marked a milestone for the Filipino Catholic community as he celebrated the Vatican’s first-ever Papal-led “Simbang Gabi (Dawn/Night Novena Mass)”.
SHARE WITH US in the comments below, how are you participating in the Christmas Simbang Gabi this 2020?
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