Our first experience of the Simbang Gabi was in Australia. We were already in contact with some members of the Filipino community. The community was renowned for its deep faith, spirituality and beautiful traditions.
When my wife, Ivana Quadrelli, was in the Philippines for World Youth Day in 1995 and missionary activity, she was deeply impressed by the Filipino people’s intense spirituality. That’s why, when she saw that a novena was being prepared for Christmas in Columbus, she didn’t hesitate to involve the family.
The atmosphere was a mixture of joy, fraternal communion, tradition, excellent food, hospitality, welcome, music and, above all, anticipation of the birth of the Savior. Interestingly, regarding the spiritual intensity of the experience, we didn’t notice any substantial difference between the Simbang Gabi celebration in Australia and Columbus. This demonstrates the strength of the tradition, which remains intact even in different places.
The sequence of the nine Masses in preparation for Christmas, despite its simplicity, conveys something more that is difficult to define. The Eucharistic celebration becomes the catalyst for an experience that involves the totality of the person. You can perceive the strength of the community. Joy and enthusiasm permeate everything. There is the joy of being together; everyone gives their best, even in their attire. But the real reason for the joy is the approaching Christmas. There is a sense of anticipation, trepidation and hope for a new life and for a spiritual renewal of the person, the community and the world.
We haven’t found a more effective preparation for Christmas than Simbang Gabi. It’s like a community spiritual retreat.
The message of Simbang Gabi is multifaceted and can be summarized in the following points: 1) Christmas should be awaited and prepared for with what is most precious to the Christian community. Christmas is not just an event of the past or an annual celebration; it is the new life that springs from Christ’s irruption into history. 2) Tradition grounds and strengthens the community, giving it purpose and direction. 3) The community expresses its best when it welcomes and loves people, even those from outside. 4) The community becomes missionary when it organizes events that facilitate a personal experience of God through the involvement of the whole person.
Mauro Meruzzi, STD is an associate professor in the School of Theology at the Pontifical College Josephinum.