PALMA
THE traditional Misa de Gallo or nine dawn Masses that lead up to Christmas Day begins on Friday, December 16, in Catholic churches around the country.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will be with parishioners of the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod inside the Archbishop’ Residence Compound in Cebu City for the first day.
On Dec. 19, he will travel to St. Pedro Calungsod Quasi-Parish in Mohon, Sogod town, north Cebu.
His other schedules are as follows:
Dec. 20 – Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN), Cebu City
Dec. 21 – Archdiocesan Shrine of San Roque in Mambaling, Cebu City
Dec. 22 – San Isidro Labrador Parish in Garing, Consolacion
Dec. 23 – San Pedro Calungsod Parish in Talamban, Cebu City
The 66-year-old prelate has no schedule for dawn masses on December 17, 18, and 24 because he has other activities to attend.
In the evening of December 24, Palma will lead the Christmas Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Misa de Gallo, which means “Mass of the Rooster” in Spanish, begins on December 16 and ends on December 24.
The tradition was introduced by Spanish friars in the 17th century in agricultural communities so that farmers could attend Mass before heading off to the fields early in the morning.
Filipinos associate the experience with cold mornings, snacks of hot chocolate and puto (rice cakes) after Mass, as well as spiritual favors for those who could complete the nine dawn Masses with special intentions.
The Vatican has granted special liturgical exemptions to the Philippines for this tradition.
While the Masses take place during the Advent season — a period of penance and anticipation — Catholic churches in the Philippines are allowed to sing the Gloria and Christmas carols during the Misa de Gallo.
The Misa de Gallo is celebrated to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to spiritually prepare the faithful for the birth of Jesus.
Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, ordered all police stations and units in Central Visayas to intensify police visibility and monitoring in all churches.
He said police assistance desks will also be placed outside the churches.
“So far, we have not received any threats but I advice the public to be alert,” Taliño said.