ILOILO – Churches under the Archdiocese of Jaro are ready to welcome hordes of devotees for the traditional nine-day Simbang Gabi that begins this Friday morning, Dec. 16.
According to Fr. Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Social Communication Office, they expect large crowds now that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions are gradually being relaxed.
One measure taken by churches to lessen the crowd in churches is to hold Simbang Gabi masses in barangays.
Other churches like the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral will have anticipated masses for the Simbang Gabi beginning Dec. 15.
Colada encourages devotees to continue wearing facemasks and use alcohol or sanitizer for hand disinfection.
On social distancing, churches will be lenient.
Colada believes devotees have already learned their lessons from two years of pandemic, and they now know what to do to avoid COVID-19 infection.
As for security, churches are coordinating with concerned city or municipal police stations.
As the Simbang Gabi begins, Colada reminds devotees of its true purpose.
“Magpamati kita sang pulong sang Diyos para mabatyagan pa gid naton kag mahangpan ang kahulugan kag misteryo sining pagkatawo sang aton Gino-o,” he added.
Colada also has a message to those who believe that their wishes will be granted if they can attend all nine Simbang Gabi or Aguinaldo masses – offer prayers, have faith and hard work.
Simbang Gabi originated in the early days of Spanish rule over the Philippines as a practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. It began in 1669. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings instead of the evening novenas more common in the rest of the Hispanic world./PN
