Fil-Am Simbang Gabi Advent Novena

The Simbang Gabi – Advent Novena and Masses will be hosted by Fil-Am and the St Stephen Catholic Community. Simbang Gabi is a devotional, nine-day series of Masses in anticipation of Christmas. HISTORY Simbang Gabi (literally, “Evening Mass,” but also known as “Mass at Dawn”) is intended to prepare the hearts, minds and spirits of the Filipino faithful for the arrival and birth of the baby Jesus. The tradition of holding nine dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve (called Misa de Aguinaldo) is practiced in the Philippines and in Puerto Rico. Indeed, a well-known belief among Filipino Catholics is that if a person completes all nine days of the Simbang Gabi, God may grant a request to him or her as part of the novena. For Filipinos, it’s a festive and joyous tradition of family and friends gathering in camaraderie that includes indulging in Filipino delicacies