Filipino 9 Day Christmas Mass Novena
Advent Season is here again but in the hearts and minds of Filipinos, the traditional 9 Day Christmas Novena mass is about to start and kick off the official start of the pre-Christmas Season in the Philippines and for Filipinos throughout the world.
In the Philippines, the 9 day novena masses are held at dawn (Misa de Gallo, Mass of the Rooster's crow) like 4 AM or 5 AM in some communities. The anticipated Novena masses are held at 8 PM (Simbang Gabi) of the night before December 16 through December 24. The mass is a 9 day preparation of heart and soul for the coming of Our Lord into our lives and actually a Novena reflecting on the events of the life the Blessed Virgin Mary leading to the nativity. Normally, Filipino communities have lanterns that are lit throughout the neighborhood directing people to church at 3AM so that the people would know where the mass celebration will be held at. You may have heard also of the 'O Antiphons' recited at mass, there are 8 of them (starts on December 17-24 daily mass) and is usually sung during Advent to the tune of 'O Come, o come, Emmanuel'!
Here in the Diocese of Columbus, we are having our own Filipino-style Simbang Gabi (literally translated Evening Mass). The mass is at 7:30 PM every day from December 15 to 22. On the 23rd there will be a great potluck feast after mass at St. Patrick's Church Hall after the 7 PM mass. It is being held at Holy Cross Parish (where we do our First Friday Devotions). The Novena Masses will be in English, so everybody is welcomed to participate! You are more than welcome to come and be infused with great love and anticipation to the great celebration of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Philippines, the 9 day novena masses are held at dawn (Misa de Gallo, Mass of the Rooster's crow) like 4 AM or 5 AM in some communities. The anticipated Novena masses are held at 8 PM (Simbang Gabi) of the night before December 16 through December 24. The mass is a 9 day preparation of heart and soul for the coming of Our Lord into our lives and actually a Novena reflecting on the events of the life the Blessed Virgin Mary leading to the nativity. Normally, Filipino communities have lanterns that are lit throughout the neighborhood directing people to church at 3AM so that the people would know where the mass celebration will be held at. You may have heard also of the 'O Antiphons' recited at mass, there are 8 of them (starts on December 17-24 daily mass) and is usually sung during Advent to the tune of 'O Come, o come, Emmanuel'!
Here in the Diocese of Columbus, we are having our own Filipino-style Simbang Gabi (literally translated Evening Mass). The mass is at 7:30 PM every day from December 15 to 22. On the 23rd there will be a great potluck feast after mass at St. Patrick's Church Hall after the 7 PM mass. It is being held at Holy Cross Parish (where we do our First Friday Devotions). The Novena Masses will be in English, so everybody is welcomed to participate! You are more than welcome to come and be infused with great love and anticipation to the great celebration of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Coming Home Soon
The temple in Jerusalem is razed to the ground and the citizens are exiled to Babylon. This was the horrible fate suffered by Israel 587 years before the birth of Jesus. In the hardness of their heart, Israel as a people had turned away from God. Israel had broken the commandments of God and injustice reigned in the land. The long years of exile was God's way to rehabilitate and redeem Israel from the despicable situation that the nation has plunged herself into. With their exile finally over, the Hebrews returned to their country in fear and apprehension. They were terrified, thinking that God had already abandoned them In the midst of their apprehension, the prophet Isaiah brings good news to Israel. God does not condemn them; God has not forgotten them! God does not renege nor shirk on any part of the covenant. He will still be their God, and Israel will be his possession. "Thus says the Lord: maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come and my deliverance be revealed."
Israel heaved a collective sigh of relief. It did not dawn on them that God's solicitude towards Israel will continue because of their infidelity. After exile, Israel had its biggest surprise when they were told that God would gather all nations for himself and bring them to the holy mountain where the Temple of God will rise. The prophet said that the new Temple will be called "the house of prayer" for all peoples. Israel will not be the only people to worship in the Temple but even those considered to be pagans, indeed all nations!
God desires the salvation of humankind. After Israel had experienced forgiveness and acceptance from God, they are in turn admonished to show mercy and forgiveness to foreigners or outsiders and to consider them as belonging to the kingdom of God. It is through unity that God wants to bring all peoples together. Thus, he enjoins every person to live a life of holiness and justice.
In the Gospel, Jesus acknowledges the work and holy life of John the Baptist, "a burning and shining lamp," who served as the forerunner of Jesus. John occupies a prominent part in our common reflection on these days of Advent, but Jesus in today's Gospel hints that his own form of witnessing will eclipse the witness of John who is compared to a mere lamp. Jesus as the light will embark on a ministry of service that best illustrates his oneness with the heavenly Father.
As we celebrate the Christmas Novena Night Masses in honor of our Blessed Mother, may we see ourselves as once-upon-a-time exiles now received back by the love of our heavenly Father. May we in turn imitate the merciful forgiveness of God and learn to accept people who may be different or difficult to live with. Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. We are offering nine Masses to honor the Mother of Jesus and our Mother before Christmas. We bring to our prayer our deep longing for peace and unity in the world. Jesus has prayed for the world, "that all may be one". May we strive for upright and holy living, on that demonstrates our union with Jesus and our heavenly Father, and one that heralds the coming of the Messiah who will soon come and not tarry nor delay.
Fr. Paul J Marquez, SSP
The temple in Jerusalem is razed to the ground and the citizens are exiled to Babylon. This was the horrible fate suffered by Israel 587 years before the birth of Jesus. In the hardness of their heart, Israel as a people had turned away from God. Israel had broken the commandments of God and injustice reigned in the land. The long years of exile was God's way to rehabilitate and redeem Israel from the despicable situation that the nation has plunged herself into. With their exile finally over, the Hebrews returned to their country in fear and apprehension. They were terrified, thinking that God had already abandoned them In the midst of their apprehension, the prophet Isaiah brings good news to Israel. God does not condemn them; God has not forgotten them! God does not renege nor shirk on any part of the covenant. He will still be their God, and Israel will be his possession. "Thus says the Lord: maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come and my deliverance be revealed."
Israel heaved a collective sigh of relief. It did not dawn on them that God's solicitude towards Israel will continue because of their infidelity. After exile, Israel had its biggest surprise when they were told that God would gather all nations for himself and bring them to the holy mountain where the Temple of God will rise. The prophet said that the new Temple will be called "the house of prayer" for all peoples. Israel will not be the only people to worship in the Temple but even those considered to be pagans, indeed all nations!
God desires the salvation of humankind. After Israel had experienced forgiveness and acceptance from God, they are in turn admonished to show mercy and forgiveness to foreigners or outsiders and to consider them as belonging to the kingdom of God. It is through unity that God wants to bring all peoples together. Thus, he enjoins every person to live a life of holiness and justice.
In the Gospel, Jesus acknowledges the work and holy life of John the Baptist, "a burning and shining lamp," who served as the forerunner of Jesus. John occupies a prominent part in our common reflection on these days of Advent, but Jesus in today's Gospel hints that his own form of witnessing will eclipse the witness of John who is compared to a mere lamp. Jesus as the light will embark on a ministry of service that best illustrates his oneness with the heavenly Father.
As we celebrate the Christmas Novena Night Masses in honor of our Blessed Mother, may we see ourselves as once-upon-a-time exiles now received back by the love of our heavenly Father. May we in turn imitate the merciful forgiveness of God and learn to accept people who may be different or difficult to live with. Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. We are offering nine Masses to honor the Mother of Jesus and our Mother before Christmas. We bring to our prayer our deep longing for peace and unity in the world. Jesus has prayed for the world, "that all may be one". May we strive for upright and holy living, on that demonstrates our union with Jesus and our heavenly Father, and one that heralds the coming of the Messiah who will soon come and not tarry nor delay.
Fr. Paul J Marquez, SSP
