The Filipino Catholic Community of central Ohio celebrated the traditional Simbang Gabi from Dec. 15 through Dec. 23, 2023.
These traditional Novena of Masses, known as Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster), are votive Masses celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also a way Filipinos spiritually prepare for Christmas.
This year, the 13th year of Simbang Gabi in Columbus, all nine Masses were celebrated at Columbus St. Elizabeth Church.
The base of the altar at St. Elizabeth was adorned with parols, the traditional Christmas lanterns symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem, that were brought up by different groups and families during the processional of the first Mass on December 15.
The joyous Masses were celebrated mainly in English while the sung prayers such as the Our Father and other songs were in Tagalog.
Father Ramon Owera, parish administrator of Columbus Holy Rosary-St. John Church and pastor of Columbus St. Dominic Church who hails from Zamboanga City in the Philippines, celebrated the first eight Masses, delivering his homilies with humor and references to aspects of life and culture in the Philippines while at the same time conveying lessons of faith from the day’s readings.
Finally, every night after Mass, local vendors sold different varieties of rice cakes (called kakanin in Tagalog) that worshippers purchased and enjoyed at home to further bring back fond memories of the Philippines and introduce the Filipino delicacies to those who were not familiar with them.
On Dec. 19, the fifth day of the celebration, Father Anthony Davis, pastor of St. Elizabeth, joined the community and concelebrated the Mass with Father Owera.
During the last day on Dec. 23, the community welcomed Bishop Earl Fernandes to the Simbang Gabi celebration for the first time since being installed in the Diocese of Columbus in 2022. The bishop was the principal celebrant of the last Mass, with Father Owera as the concelebrant with the assistance of Deacons Jason Nguyen and Dean Racine.
In Bishop Fernandes’ homily, he expressed his delight in being with the Filipino Catholic community for this occasion and pointed out the strong and devout faith among Asian Catholics in the United States. He compared the desire of Filipino Catholics to pass on tradition from one generation to the next to those of Indian Catholics from which he descended. He also complimented the community for praying the Holy Rosary before the Mass. He continued to encourage the faithful to hand on this traditions and other practices to the next generation.
Continuing his homily, Bishop Fernandes encouraged all to “be bold and share the good news of salvation.” He reminded everyone that as bishop his priorities are vocations and evangelization. He emphasized that the Blessed Virgin Mary is the embodiment of both vocation and evangelization: Mary is the model of the vocation to be wife and mother, and she is also the model of discipleship.
In closing, Bishop Fernandes again praised the promotion of tradition, faith and devotion of the Filipino Catholics. He further encouraged young men in the Filipino Catholic community to consider God’s call to the priestly vocation.
In addition to the last Mass culminating Simbang Gabi, a potluck-style dinner was held in St. Elizabeth’s Pastor’s Hall. After the Mass, Bishop Fernandes joined Father Owera, Father Davis and guests to enjoy food, fellowship and entertainment. More than 200 members of the Filipino Catholic Community shared home-cooked Filipino food with their families and friends while enjoying the dancing and singing performances by various groups.
In preparation for this annual celebration, Father Owera and the Simbang Gabi Committee (Rex Alba, Ice Batino, Mico Borromeo, Jesse Cabungcal, Luchelle Custodio, Frances Horenstein, Joy Kouns-Lewis, Minda Li, Joy Polintan, Ferly Powers, Irene Sze and Josephine and Eric Yang) met for months meticulously planning for the success of this celebration with the aim of continuing this tradition that imbues the joyous Spirit of Christmas.
In the future, the committee aims to continue this tradition in Columbus, to pass it down to future generations, and to promote and share it with other Catholics. Activities being considered by the committee include other Filipino Catholic traditions and celebrations, such as Sinulog honoring the Santo Niño or the Child Jesus, and the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, who is the protomartyr of the Philippines and patron saints of catechists.
The celebration of Simbang Gabi and other Catholic devotions is important to Filipinos and Filipino-Americans as its practices allows the Filipino Catholic Community to keep memories and traditions of the Philippines alive while at the same time further emphasizes the true meaning of Christmas that lies in their faith in Jesus Christ.
During the year, the Filipino Catholic Community meets every first Wednesday of the month at St. Elizabeth Church for a novena and Mass in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The evening starts with praying the Holy Rosary for the Unborn at 6 p.m. followed by the novena and Mass.
The community also meets every first Saturday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth for Mass celebrated in Tagalog, one of the major languages spoken in the Philippines.
Eric V. Yang is a parishioner of Columbus St. Peter, and serves in the Simbang Gabi Committee.