MERRILLVILLE – Simbang Gabi is a night Mass, a Christmas tradition in the Philippines which began as a novena series of Masses leading up to Christmas. Filipino faithful gathered at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs South Campus on Dec. 20 to showcase part of this tradition and participate in the sense of community it creates.
Viengen Kortmann shared that some people of Filipino heritage can miss their loved ones and traditions, especially around Christmas, but celebrating the birth of Jesus with friends helps.
“We get to see friends we don’t get to see all the time and celebrate Christmas, and it makes me feel like I have a connection back home,” she said. “I'm not really lonely, but having the connection and being in the presence of others makes up for the fact that my family is not here.”
Kortmann added that although people tend to be busy and work a lot, they need to make time to have a personal relationship with God. She said in Filipino culture, it’s very important to set aside work to celebrate Christmas with family. Being present with others, she explained, is more important than any material gift.
“Some may not be able to be with family and this one gives us that opportunity to mingle and be with friends and fill that void during Christmas since it's such a big thing for us in the Philippines.”
Mindy Carlay, who is active in the diocese’s Filipino Catholic ministry, estimated that the Diocese of Gary has been hosting a Simbang Gabi Mass for approximately 10 years. She has watched the service grow in attendance each year. This year, St. Thomas More in Munster also held a Simbang Gabi service the day before the one that took place at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.
Carlay described Simbang Gabi as a nine-day novena that would traditionally be celebrated.
“When it’s Dec. 16, that means that it's really Christmas time,” she said.
Prior to, and during the Mass, Carlay assisted the children who processed in at the start of the liturgy dressed as members of the Nativity story and carrying parols, colorful paper or bamboo lanterns to illuminate the way to worship. They are often formed in the shape of a star, depicting the Star of Bethlehem.
Bishop Robert J. McClory said it's always a delight to have young people representing what happened on that beautiful Christmas night. During his homily, the bishop drew attention to one of the central characters in the Christmas narrative – St. Joseph. He proposed a question to the young boy who depicted Joseph and the congregation, “Can you tell me any words that St. Joseph said in the Bible?”
“It's a trick question,” admitted Bishop McClory. “Joseph didn't say anything in the Bible.”
While St. Joseph remains a huge figure in the faith, he said, the fact is that he says no words in the Bible. There is nothing documented in the Scriptures that he spoke.
Bishop McClory said, “Joseph shows us a different kind of openness in the Holy Spirit – an appropriately quiet one, and one in which he responds wholeheartedly.”
While most Catholics are familiar with the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce she would bear a child, the bishop explained, there was also another annunciation. The Nighttime Annunciation, as it is sometimes referred to, is the account of how an angel came to Joseph in a dream to reveal what was going to happen.
Reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Bishop McClory recited, “And so the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, for it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’”
Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife Mary into his home.
Bishop McClory said, “As we get ready for all the Christmas celebrations in just a few days, we thank the Lord that Joseph is a witness to us.”
Bishop McClory acknowledged that sometimes people may not believe they are capable of being a witness of faith because they are not talkative, they may be more introverted and quiet. The bishop said St. Joseph serves as an icon and an example to those who may be more reserved in their demeanor, “a reminder of the faith that the Lord calls us all to.”
“Ask yourself, ‘Do you represent Joseph, that docility to the Holy Spirit, his care for Jesus, his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary?’ and imitate that as we enter into the Christmas season,” said Bishop McClory.
The bishop cited one of the gifts that the Filipino Catholic community has given the wider Church is its steady fidelity: coming to church, loving their families and showing that love to others. He noted that around the world, Filipinos ascended to great positions of medical expertise as learned doctors and professionals of the highest level. They have also had a global impact because of the places of quiet service in areas such as hospitality.
“Those who are in need of assistance and support have been blessed and benefited from the beautiful warmth and love of the Filipino community,” he said.
Lenora Bujna, a member of one of the diocese’s intercultural ministry advisory committees, was just one individual who worked to ensure those entering the church felt welcomed and helped set up the dinner afterwards in the parish’s hall. She stressed the Simbang Gabi service was really to “share our tradition with everybody and everybody's welcome.”
“That's why we love to do this so we can show our tradition,” she said. “We may be from a different country and have different traditions for Christmas, but we all believe in one God.”
Bujna said she hoped those who attended enjoyed the experience of participating in the Mass and then felt the unity that came along with the food and fellowship that followed.
