Philippine Consulate Participates in the 18th Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass of San Francisco Archdiocese
Blessing of the Philippine parols at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Daly City (San Francisco PCG photo)
DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the Filipino Catholic Community in the 18th annual commissioning mass and the Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe organized by the Filipino Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco on 12 December 2025 at the Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Daly City.
Led by Consul Marc Theodore P. Benigno, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco participated in the procession of Parols which were blessed during the mass presided over by Rev. Domingo Orimaco.
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. The “simbang gabi” schedule in the San Francisco Archdiocese (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties) is available on the Filipino Ministry’s website.
Philippine Consulate’s parol made of capiz shells spearheading the procession and blessing of the parols (San Francisco PCG photo)
Representatives from the Philippine Consulate led by Consul Marc Theodore Benigno (top right) with personnel and family members join the Commissioning Mass. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul Marc Theodore Benigno with Rev. Angel Quitalig after the blessing of the parols. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Rev. Domingo Orimaco (center) leads the concelebrants of priests and deacons under the Archdiocese of San Francisco (San Francisco PCG Photo)