Simbang Gabi Masses prepare Alaskans for Christmas

CatholicAnchor.org
Simbang Gabi is a series of special Masses leading up to Christmas. The celebration of the nine-day novena is one of the longest-running and most popular Catholic Filipino religious traditions, enduring more than 600 years. At the Masses, the faithful especially focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary and ready their hearts to worthily welcome and receive the Child Jesus at Christmas.

In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi originally took place in the pre-dawn hours for nine consecutive days leading up to Christmas. Still today, Catholic churches across the Philippines often celebrate Mass outdoors in order to accommodate large crowds.

The Masses were originally celebrated very early, usually at 4 a.m., since they took place during the harvest season when farmers had to be in the fields at the crack of dawn. During this time, colorful lanterns hung in every door, window, tree branch, and street corner. Bands played native carols all across town while the faithful made their way to the nearest church.

In Alaska and across many parts of the United States, Filipino immigrants brought with them many of these traditions, adapting them for regional differences in weather and culture.

In Anchorage all the upcoming Simbang Gabi Masses will take place at 6 p.m. as scheduled: Dec. 15 at Holy Family Cathedral, Dec. 16 at Holy Spirit Center, Dec. 17 at Holy Cross Church, Dec. 18 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Dec. 19 at St. Andrew Church, Dec. 20 at St. Anthony Church, Dec. 21 at St. Patrick Church, Dec. 22 at St. Benedict Church and Dec. 23 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral.

Attendees are invited to bring a favorite dish for the potluck dinner which will follow each Mass in Anchorage.

In Palmer, St. Michael Church in Palmer will hold Simbang Gabi Masses as scheduled: Dec. 15-16 at 6 p.m., Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 20-23 at 6 p.m. A potluck dinner and social will follow the first and last Masses in Palmer.

For more information, contact St. Michael’s at 745-3229 or frontdesk@st-mikesparish.org.

In Kodiak, St. Mary Church will hold Simbang Gabi Masses from Dec. 15-23 at 6 p.m. each night.