Filipino community nourishes faith with centuries-old tradition
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
The diocese’s Filipino community gathered for the 16th consecutive year to celebrate the Advent tradition of Simbang Gabi, a nine-day novena to welcome the celebration of the birth of Jesus and to honor his mother, Mary.
Simbang Gabi, which is coordinated by the diocesan Commission for the Filipino Apostolate, began in the diocese Dec. 15 with a Mass in Our Lady of Victories Church, Sayreville.
Father Roberto D. Coruna, pastor of Annunciation Parish, Bloomsbury, and former parochial vicar in Our Lady of Victories Parish, was principal celebrant. Father Coruna was assisted by Father Virgilio T. Tolentino, parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Parish, Metuchen, and Deacon Rogelio Ladao of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway.
In his homily, Father Coruna said the meaning of Simbang Gabi should be something that is with us every day of the year. Father Coruna asked the worshipers how they would live their lives if they lived while Jesus was on Earth and knew then what they know about him now?
“What are you doing to prepare for his coming?” he continued. “If we stop and take a look, it will add more meaning to Simbang Gabi . . . try to experience Jesus Christ in these nine days, consciously and completely in your relationship with each other.
“After Simbang Gabi, you will be able to say my Christmas, my life is enriched by the experience.”
Simbang Gabi, which means ‘Mass at dawn,’ traces its roots to Mexico where, in 1587, the pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas Mass outdoors because the church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending evening Mass, according to the Web site of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Simbang Gabi was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish colonists, who brought many religious traditions to both countries, Father Coruna said.
The tradition continued with Filipino immigrants who came to the United States, although Masses are now celebrated at night instead of at dawn.
In the Diocese of Metuchen, Simbang Gabi was first celebrated in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Piscataway, in 1990 and 1991, before being offered in different churches to increase participation, said Father Edgardo D. Abano, director, diocesan Office of Multi-Cultural Ministries.
“This is an acculturated Liturgy. Some things we do are uniquely Filipino,” Father Abano said.
Included in the traditions is the entrance rite called Panuluyan (search for an inn), which is also celebrated in many towns in the Philippines on Christmas Eve. Members of the community act as Mary and Joseph to re-enact the Christmas scene as written in The Gospel of Luke, 2:7, according to notes given to worshipers in Our Lady of Victories Church.
Before the Panuluyan skit began, Father Coruna said, “Brothers and sisters in the Lord, without the light of Christ in our hearts, we live in the darkness of our own selfishness. The drama of the Panuluyan is still a reality in the world today. Its message still rings in our ears, for we still refuse to welcome Jesus Christ into our lives, we still refuse to the least of our brothers and sisters who knock at our doors. As we prepare to welcome him and celebrate his presence among us in this Holy Eucharist, let us acknowledge our failures and ask pardon for our sins, for God is full of gentleness and compassion.”
In the Panuluyan, Our Lady of Victories Parish members Nicole Acampado, 17, portrayed Mary, and her 16-year-old brother, Ian, portrayed Joseph. They asked for shelter from four “house owners” but were denied a room each time.
In a reception after the Mass, Walter Manongdo, 53, a member of Our Lady of Victories Parish and a Eucharistic minister, said Simbang Gabi was a very strong tradition when he was growing up in the Philippines, where about 85 percent of the population is Catholic.
“It’s also a time to meet other people,” he said.
As parish member Jim McCracken, 39, held his 1-year-old daughter, Allison, he said Simbang Gabi is a good way to introduce children to Filipino culture to children and prepare for Christmas.
McCracken’s wife, Irma, also 39, who was born in the Philippines, said Simbang Gabi reminds her of “old times.”
“It’s a nice tradition and I’m happy it’s continuing here in our parish,” she said.
Simbang Gabi continues with a Mass in a different parish every evening, and will conclude in Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville, 7 p.m., Dec. 23.
Other sites were: St. Ambrose Church, Old Bridge; Sacred Heart Church, South Plainfield; St. Bartholomew Church, East Brunswick; Our Lady of Fatima Church, Piscataway; St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral; St. Matthew Church, Edison; St. Matthias Church, Somerset; St. Helena Church, Edison; and St. Cecelia Church, Iselin.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law