Join us for Simbang Gabi!

Faith, Food, and Fellowship, Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:00pm, Mass with Reception to Follow

Simbang Gabi, which means “Night Mass” in Filipino, is a beloved devotional tradition of nine Masses celebrated by Filipino Catholics in joyful anticipation of Christmas. It mirrors the nine dawn Masses known as Misa de Aguinaldo in Puerto Rico. The tradition began as a practical accommodation for farmers who started work before sunrise and has since become a cherished cultural and spiritual celebration rooted in community, faith, and sharing.

Simbang Gabi is traditionally observed from December 16 to 24, with Masses held in the early hours of the morning—typically between 3:00am and 5:00am. Anticipated celebrations may begin as early as December 15 and are often held in the evening, usually around 8:00pm, though some take place as late as 11:00pm or at midnight. The final Mass, celebrated on Christmas Eve, is called Misa de Gallo, or “Rooster’s Mass.”

The Cathedral Filipino Network warmly invites you to take part in this beautiful tradition. Join us for Simbang Gabi on Saturday, December 20 at 7:00pm at Holy Name Cathedral, followed by a festive reception featuring delicious traditional Filipino dishes. Come and experience the beauty and pageantry of this sacred celebration!

What Is Simbang Gabi?

The origins of Simbang Gabi trace back to the mid-17th century during Spain’s colonization of the Philippines, when Christianity was still taking root in the islands. Recognizing the difficulty agricultural workers faced in attending an evening novena after long days in the fields, missionaries adapted the practice by holding the novena before dawn. At the crowing of the rooster, church bells rang and local bands played traditional Christmas carols, calling families to gather for worship before beginning their day’s labor.

As the Star of Bethlehem guided the Wise Men, parols—star-shaped lanterns—hung outside humble homes to light the way for early-morning churchgoers. The parol remains a powerful symbol of hope, joy, and the triumph of light over darkness.

After Mass, families and neighbors shared festive delicacies before returning to their work. This early morning celebration became known as Misa de Gallo, the precursor to today’s evening observance of Simbang Gabi.
With the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, the Church allowed evening celebrations of the novena to accommodate the schedules of those living in cities, giving rise to the more widely practiced nighttime Simbang Gabi.
A historic milestone occurred on December 15, 2019, when Pope Francis celebrated Simbang Gabi at St. Peter’s Basilica—the first time a pope presided over this traditional Filipino Mass.

Today, Simbang Gabi is celebrated in churches across the Philippines and around the world. In many places, including Chicago, parishes gather with great solemnity and joy. Local communities celebrate on different nights of the novena, visiting one another’s parishes and strengthening bonds of faith and fellowship.
The parol continues to hold deep meaning for Filipinos everywhere. For those living far from home, it serves as a luminous reminder of family, tradition, and the enduring spirit that unites Filipino communities around the globe.