Fil-Ams’ Simbang Gabi tradition returns on Dec. 15

Simbang Gabi at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Photo by Andy Tecson

LOS ANGELES – The beloved annual Simbang Gabi tradition among Filipino Americans returns this Sunday, Dec. 15, kicking off at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles with the celebration of the Mass, novenas and food.

Every year, dozens of parishes under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles host celebrations marking Simbang Gabi – also called the “Misa de Gallo” or “Rooster’s Mass” – a series of dawn masses leading up to Christmas Eve.

The 6:30 p.m. Mass, to be celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez, will be preceded by traditional music and the “Parade of Parols” at 5:45 p.m. The parade will feature Filipino Christmas lanterns from 120 parishes from the five pastoral regions in the Archdiocese.

The Christmas lanterns will be blessed at the end of the Mass.

“The beginning of the Advent season is a much-awaited event for the Catholic faithful,” the Filipino Ministry of the LA Archdiocese said in a statement.

“Embedded within the Advent season, this Filipino tradition has found its place – not only in the hearts of the Filipino people but also in the hearts of the general public.”

This year’s theme, “Sama-samang paglalakbay kasama ni Kristo na puno ng pag-asa (Journeying together in Christ as pilgrims of hope),” is the result of “months-long discernment” by the steering committee of the Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) region, the Filipino Ministry said.

Simbang Gabi organizers/CONTRIBUTED

As the hosts for this year’s liturgical celebration, OLA Region Coordinator Butch Geraldez and the committee members planned and organized the Simbang Gabi celebration.

The Filipino Ministry and the OLA region have encouraged Fil-Ams to “bring along the youth in their family to experience Simbang Gabi.”

For more information, email [email protected]. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located at 555 W. Temple Street in Los Angeles.

View the schedule of parishes participating in the 2024 Simbang Gabi novena here.