MERRILLVILLE – “Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again, Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)
With those words from scripture, Bishop Robert J. McClory captured the essence of the occasion as he celebrated a Simbang Gabi Mass on the vigil of Gaudete Sunday with dozens of Philippine-American Catholics from throughout the Diocese of Gary and beyond who joined parishioners at Our Lady of Consolation on Dec. 16.
Joy is the trademark of Simbang Gabi, or Night Mass, a Christmas tradition in the Philippines. For nine straight nights before Christmas, all ages gather for midnight or early morning Mass, bringing simple offerings of rice, fruit and eggs to the church altar. The food was shared with the faithful at breakfast after the liturgy.
To guide their way to Mass in the darkness, the faithful make colorful paper and bamboo lanterns each shaped like a star to represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided pilgrims to the Christ Child after his birth.
This Mass became known as the Misa de Gallo, or “Rooster Mass, and was followed by a time of fellowship dubbed “Noche Buena.”
“It’s a tradition to celebrate,” said Dr. Ferdinand Ramos, of Crown Point, president of the Philippine Professionals Association Inc., one of the local event’s sponsors. “Back in the Philippines, Simbang Gabi runs for nine days. We go to Mass early in the morning, at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., every day. Here (in the U.S.) we celebrate just once, but we try to invite everyone.
“Kids give more importance to Christmas gifts, lights, lanterns and stars,” he added. “In the Philippines, we decorate with lanterns to represent lighting the way, and every family has a feast; whole families come together, from the cities to their hometowns, and it is very special.”
Aleili Medina, of Merrillville, emigrated from the Philippines to the U.S. about 30 years ago for work, and is a physical therapist at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago. She recalls having great fun each year as a child.
“Simbang Gabi was like a novena, but with Masses early every morning, and afterward we looked for treats, like steamed rice cakes, that we got only at Christmas,” Medina said. “If you completed all nine days, whatever your wish was would come true. I remember having a wish that came true one year.”
Medina said she used to return to her homeland often to visit, but as the years pass, there are fewer relatives left to see. “I still like the Simbang Gabi,” she said. “It is so festive, with the traditional clothing and the familiar music. It brings back memories of my childhood, when we sang the same carols and received money.”
Traditional foods served at the Simbang Gabi dinner after Mass included picadillo, ground beef and sauteed vegetables over rice; pancit, chicken and vegetables mixed with delicate rice noodles; and lumpia, fried spring rolls filled with a savory mixture of pork, cabbage, and other vegetables, said Tito DeJesus, of Crown Point. A retired nurse who emigrated from the Philippines in 1976, he proudly claims to have attended Simbang Gabi “every year since I was born.
“It’s a Catholic tradition instilled in us by our parents, and now we try to instill that tradition in our children,” he explained. “The music is part of it, and having the children bring their gifts up to the altar.”
Bishop McClory praised the Philippine culture for the strong faith of its people, calling it inspirational. He told the story of a group of Filipinos who threatened to strike unless they could celebrate Mass on Christmas Day. “A priest went to them and the Filipinos reserved just a small hall for the Mass, because they wanted the Mass just for them,” he noted.
After God “created us out of love,” explained the bishop, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit when tempted by the snake (Satan), “because they wanted things their way, and sin entered the world.
“Jesus, by his death and resurrection, was a ransom” paid for “we, who were prisoners, held hostage by original sin. Jesus comes and says, ‘I will set you free.’
“While the Devil loves to separate us from each other and from God, we don’t need to listen to that lie,” added Bishop McClory. “We are beloved sons and daughters of God and he is with us and is going to save us We are called to say yes to that and share the Good Word.”
Praying for “all Filipinos who are working so hard to be faithful,” the bishop offered in his closing blessing for the Christmas season: “May He cleanse us of our faults to prepare us for the coming feast.”
Caption: Parents Kyle and Michelle Carlay, of St. John, and (at right) aunt Irene Copak, of Crown Point, watch young Maya Carlay taste broccoli along with some traditional Filipino foods at the Simband Gabi dinner held at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville on Dec. 16. Close to 100 people enjoyed lumpla (egg rolls), picadillo (beef over rice) and pancit (chicken and rice noodles); those looking for traditional American fare munched on pizza and baked chicken. The family was happy to be sharing their culture and passing it along to the youngsters, said matriarch Mindy Carlay, who helped choose the menu. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)