The Archdiocese of Chicago to Celebrate its Annual Simbang Gabi Novena from Dec.15 – 23, 2024
Chicago (Dec. 12, 2024) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate its annual Simbang Gabi novena starting on Sunday, Dec. 15 through Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Sponsored by the archdiocese’s Asian Catholic Initiative office, Simbang Gabi is one of the oldest and most revered Filipino Christmas traditions. Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will preside over Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 6401 Gages Lake Road in Gurnee, on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m.
“Simbang Gabi is a vibrant tradition which reminds us Advent is a season of hope and anticipation,” said Cardinal Cupich. “Simbang Gabi connects Filipino Catholics in Chicago with their homeland to celebrate the shared joy for the birth of the Lord at Christmas, and for us to bring His light into the world.”
Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) includes a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother traditionally celebrated in a series of dawn Masses by Filipino Catholics around the world. The Masses include liturgies, music, native delicacies and the treasured parol, a Filipino star-shaped lantern the star of Bethlehem.
Simbang Gabi can be traced back to the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the Philippines. At the time, the Filipino people adopted the tradition of celebrating pre-Christmas Masses before daybreak known by the popular Spanish name “Misa de Gallo” or "Rooster Mass.'' Simbang Gabi culminates with the Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ.
In Chicago, Filipino Catholics have organized evening novena Masses since 1986. This year, 55 archdiocesan parishes will celebrate Simbang Gabi Masses.
For more information about Simbang Gabi and for a full schedule of Masses, please visit https://aci.archchicago.org/events/simbang-gabi.
