FILIPINO CHRISTMAS DAWN MASSES IN THE BAY AREA BEGIN WITH 15TH ANNUAL COMMISSIONING MASS
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the Filipino Catholic community in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 15th annual commissioning mass for the “simbang gabi” (dawn masses) at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco on 9 December 2022.
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer attended the commissioning mass, where Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay joined representatives of the parishes under the Archdiocese of San Francisco for a procession of parols or Filipino Christmas star lanterns. During the mass, Rev. Fr. Dave Pettingill blessed the parols and commissioned the same as the “Light of Christ,” to be shared with the rest of the Catholic faithful for the nine-day simbang gabi.
The simbang gabi or “misa de gallo” is a series of masses that is traditionally celebrated at dawn beginning December 16. The tradition began during the Spanish colonial era when Christmas masses were held before sunrise, to allow farmers to hear mass before they set off to work during the day. In recent times, an anticipated “simbang gabi” is also held for nine nights starting December 15. (San Francisco PCG photos)
