Christmas lanterns adorn the entrance of the Shrine of the Our Lady of Guadalupe. Dawn masses will be held in all Philippine churches starting tomorrow.
Archbishop Palma to celebrate first Misa de Gallo in new Dalaguete church
The traditional Misa de Gallo or nine dawn Masses that lead up to Christmas Day l begins tomorrow, December 16 in churches around the country.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will be with parishioners of the newly constructed Church of Our Lady of Consolation in the mountain barangay of Manlapay in Dalaguete town, south Cebu for the first day.
The next day, Palma will be at the St. John Paul II House for Priests in the archdiocesan seminary compound in Mabolo, Cebu City.
Dec. 18 – Chapel in the Archbishop’s Residence compound in Cebu City.
Dec . 21 – Oratory of the the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) in Cebu City.
Dec. 23 – Medellin town in north Cebu
Dec. 24 – Palma will cap the series of Masses in Sta. Rosa Parish in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City on December 24.
(Palma has no schedule for December 19, 20, and 22 dawn Mass.)
In the evening of December 24, Palma will lead the Christmas Mass in the evening 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.
This exemption is explained by the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Worship said in its guide published in “Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon,” the official newsletter of the local church.
“For us, the celebration of the nativity of the Lord commences with these dawn Masses from December 16 onward,” it said.
The Misa de Gallo is celebrated to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to spiritually prepare the faithful for the birth of Jesus.