Apostolate celebrates traditional nine-day novena

METUCHEN – With a worshipful mix of prayer, song, veneration and reverent pageantry, Catholics of Filipino descent honored the Virgin Mary Dec. 15 during the opening Mass of a nine-day novena known as Simbang Gabi.

During the family-centered, heritage-rich celebration, Msgr. Robert J. Zamorski, rector who presided at the Mass, urged the congregation to heed the theme of the Third Sunday of Advent: Rejoice!

Simbang Gabi, Filipino for “night Mass,” was introduced by Spanish evangelists to the Philippines in the 17th century. Traditionally, faithful arrive at Mass before daybreak on each of the nine days before Christmas, then set off to work in the fields. Adoration of the Blessed Virgin is abundant during Simbang Gabi, complete with a Nativity play and processions of faithful bearing gifts.

The diocesan Filipino Apostolate has widened the scope of the annual celebration. This Advent, a total of 26 parishes in the diocese sponsored Masses in the Filipino tradition, beginning with the Cathedral on Dec. 15 and concluding Dec. 23 at St. John Vianney Church, Colonia, where Bishop James F. Checchio presided.

The Filipino Apostolate Festival Choir lifted their voices in traditional Tagalog Christmas songs as faithful processed into the Cathedral bearing banners and parols, or star-shaped lanterns meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Msgr. Zamorski was accompanied by numerous Filipino priests, deacons and acolytes into the sanctuary.

In his homily, Msgr. Zamorski reminded the assembled that this first night of Simbang Gabi coincided with the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete, or rejoice, Sunday. There were many parallels between John the Baptist and San Lorenzo Ruiz, canonized by St. Pope John Paul II as the first Filipino saint, he said, and both were a reason for all Catholics to rejoice at Christ’s coming.

“Just six years and three months ago, we enshrined a statue of St. Lorenzo Ruiz in our chapel,” said the monsignor. “[He] and John the Baptist had a lot in common: they were both prisoners, they gave up their lives for others and had many followers.”

He continued, “The Lord speaks to your holiness. You are the witnesses to Christ in the modern-day world… We must declare imperatively that Christ is the One. Since you understand that, you rejoice and give witness.”

Msgr. Zamorski noted that Filipinos worldwide were preparing for the 500th anniversary of Catholicism’s arrival to that island nation two years hence, and concluded, “We are in the procession to heaven, walking forward with the strength of the martyrs, as we begin the great procession of Simbang Gabi… You have the spiritual fortitude to stand up for the Messiah. I hope you will make it your personal mantra to ‘Gaudete.’”

Father Gerardo Paderon, administrator, Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, and diocesan coordinator of the Filipino apostolate, explained the Simbang Gabi celebrations represented a nine-day journey with Mary.

“There are so many things to be grateful for,” Father Paderon said. “This morning, for the first time, Pope Francis celebrated Simbang Gabi in St. Peter’s Square.”

He reminded the congregation that Archbishop Bernardito Auza, a native of the Philippines, had been recently assigned as Apostolic Nuncio to Spain, observing, “Almost 500 years ago, the Spaniards came to evangelize in the Philippines. Now one of us are there to evangelize in Spain.

“We are charged to continue evangelizing as our mission. Pass it on to the new generation.”
Congregants at the celebration intended to do just that.

The Serrano family, members of the Cathedral Parish, admired the brightly colored and electrified parols as they processed down the aisle.

 Claire, 8, told her mother she might make one at home. Her mother, Jean, explained she attended the Simbang Gabi Mass “because I find it unifying. I like to sing the traditional songs.”

Loreto Larobis, his wife, Melanie, and seven-year-old son, Arsenio, smiled as a friend took their picture after the Mass. The family, members of St. Matthew Parish, Edison, saw the Simbang Gabi as a teaching moment.

“This is tradition; I went to Simbang Gabi when I was in the Philippines,” said Loreto, who was celebrating his birthday at the Mass. His wife added, “I explained to [Arsenio] about how the stars led the shepherds to Bethlehem.”

When he was asked what he would remember about the evening, Arsenio said, “The shepherds told us where to find Jesus.”