Today begins Simbang Gabi and the Masses are in the vernacular.

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What is Simbang Gabi? It is the nine-day dawn Masses traditionally provided for the farmer and fisher folks before they set out to the fields and the sea. Belief has it the nine days alludes to the nine months the Messiah was in the Womb of the Blessed Mother. That is why the faithful could whisper a wish, that upon completion of the novena, on the Birth of the Messiah, the wish will be granted. Used to be the 3 am tolling of the bells wake the faithful from slumber, to prepare for the 4 am Simbang Gabi. That was difficult to do because December nights are cold. Personally, I completed that Advent novena only once in my life, when I was in my youth. This pandemia, I intended to join the online novena. Sadly, I failed on the very first day. I was tardy. Sigh. I caught the tail end of the Mass, which was in the vernacular. Feeling forlorn, I searched for another Mass and participated in the convivial celebration at the Manila Cathedral. Again, the Mass was in Tagalog. Most likely, this is to provide the Filipinos in foreign lands a feel of home. Sharing the Diocese of the Divine Word, where I often join virtual Masses.