Joyous Catholics of Filipino descent filled the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, Dec. 23 for the final night of Simbang Gabi, a pre-Christmas novena of Masses to honor the Christ Child through prayer, song and tradition.
Bishop James F. Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist of the beloved annual event. He was joined in the sanctuary by Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, vicar general; Father Timothy A. Christy, Cathedral rector, and numerous Filipino priests, deacons and acolytes of the Diocese.
Simbang Gabi, Filipino for “night Mass,” was introduced in the 17th century by Spanish evangelists to the Philippines. 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 novena, often including a Nativity play and processions of faithful bearing gifts.
Under the coordination of the Metuchen Diocese Filipino Apostolate, the tradition of Simbang Gabi Masses has blossomed. This year, a total of 22 churches hosted Masses in the Filipino tradition, beginning with a Dec. 15 liturgy in Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, and concluding Dec. 23 in the Cathedral. A Misa de Gallo, or “Rooster Mass,” was held at 5 a.m. daily in St. Ladislaus Church, New Brunswick.
The Filipino Apostolate Festival Choir led the abundant congregation in traditional Tagalog-language Christmas songs as faithful processed into the Cathedral bearing banners and parols, or star-shaped lanterns meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Faithful must not recall Christmas Day as only a great event of the past, the Bishop stressed in his homily, but is also a present event which brings us to our salvation.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to pause and listen to the word of God,” the Bishop continued. “We are filled with delight that God, our Father, loves us so much that he sent us his only Son.”
The birth we celebrate is the birth of the Son of God, the Promised One that also goes to the Cross and dies for us, Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation.
“He takes on our humanity so we can share his divinity,” he concluded. “This is the same love we are asked to share with one another. This is our salvation and our redemption; it is near at hand.”
Veronica Klein of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, Filipino American Association, accompanied about 10 fellow parishioners to the celebration at the Cathedral. Recalling the vast number of faithful congregants, she said, “This was a big Filipino celebration. If I can’t go home (to the Philippines) for it, I come here. This is growing; the support of the pastors is a great help.”