PENANG (Herald Malaysia): Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Christmas tradition, which consists of nine Masses at dawn. Bells, lights and lanterns welcome the people to the Masses and after the Masses, they usually tuck into some traditional food.

In Penang, instead of dawn, the Masses were held in the evening at 8.30pm.

Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, the parish priest of City Parish, explained how Simbang Gabi was brought to Penang.

“One of our local youths was totally enthralled by the Simbang Gabi celebration in the Philippines. When she returned to Penang, she suggested the idea of having it in Penang. She approached the parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate the Simbang Gabi. Since there is a large Filipino community in my parish, I put forward the idea to see whether they would like to organize it.”

Without hesitation, the Filipino Catholic Community of Penang (FCCP) took up the offer as they were delighted to be able to practise their tradition although they are away from home.

Thus from Dec 16 to Dec 24, the Filipino Community attended Mass everyday, and after Mass, they gathered at the hall to enjoy their Filipino food.

Last year, the Simbang Gabi focused on Parol (the Star of Christmas). There was a competition among the Filipinos to make beautiful lanterns symbolising the parol. These lanterns were then hung inside the church on Christmas Day.

This year, as the theme was on evangelization through liturgy, they focused on Liturgical dance, which was performed on the last day of the novena (Dec 24). On the last day, the Panuluyan was performed in place of the homily during the Mass. This is a short play taken from the Gospel of Luke 2:7, where Mary and Joseph search for a place to stay for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Fr Dominic was very happy to see the Filipinos practising their Simbang Gabi tradition.

I gave the Filipinos here a free reign to organize this divine tradition. I note the sacrifices they make — waking up so early and preparing food. This tradition will create the need for more prayers and hence they will be more spiritually filled during Christmas.”

Filipino priest Fr Conegundo Garganta was the main celebrant for the nine days.

Fr Conegundo is the Director of the National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate and the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

On the first day of the Simbang Gabi Mass, Fr Conegundo welcomed about 100 Filipinos to the beginning of the nine days’ journey of faith. He said that coming together for the Simbang Gabi should not only be sacramental or emotional but as they prepare to welcome Jesus, they should take this opportunity to spread His Good News.

“The Simbang Gabi in Penang will help the Filipinos here to feel less home-sick as this tradition means a lot to them,” said Fr Conegundo, “It is meaningful for them because, being away from home, this is the family they have in Penang, as they gather together. They become a special group of people who embrace a new meaning in family —family in Christ for one another.”

Fr Conegundo was grateful to Fr Dominic for allowing this tradition to be celebrated in his parish. This, he said, shows that the Malaysian Church is open to welcoming strangers. He said that Fr Dominic has shown spiritual wisdom in a beautiful way to unite the Filipinos in Penang.

Jelorie S. Peroja, who came to Penang 11 months ago as a student was glad to be able to participate in Simbang Gabi.

“This year’s Simbang Gabi in Penang was a witness to the joy and the spirit of unity that could be felt among those who gather to celebrate one of the most-loved Filipino traditions. For me, it paved the way for a deeper longing yet a joyful preparation for His coming. The liturgy, the songs and the presence of fellow Filipinos brought tears into my eyes because they reminded me of my home.”

Echoing what Fr Conegundo had said about Simbang Gabi bringing all Filipino in Penang as one family, Hermie Camba, who has been in Penang for over 10 years, and is the president of the Pinoy Support Group (PSG) had this to say, “Simbang Gabi in Penang brings the spirit of unity, compassion and joyfullness to our community. It reminds us of our culture and traditions on how we prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas. I see the unity among the Filipinos during Simbang Gabi from the mass to the fellowship and I feel like we are one big family.” --By Lucia Lai