A beautiful Christmas tradition

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Managing Editor ANTONIETA B. LOPEZ Business Editor ODETTE MONTELIBANO Desk Editor MARY ANN BARCELONA Advertising Coordinator RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete

ANDRES R. LEONARDIA Managing Director

One of the most beautiful traditions that Filipinos have continued to observe all these years is the practice of the Misa de Gallo, that is also known as Misa de Aguinaldo. This consists in attendance at early dawn holy masses starting on this day, December 16, up to the last day before Christmas Day itself.

As far back as most Filipinos can remember, including those who are now grandparents or greatgrandparents already, Catholics have made it a point to awaken at cock's crow, which is the explanation for the name "Misa de Gallo", to go to their parish churches for the early morning masses. In the old days, massgoers would trudge through the cool, dark dawn, sometimes in entire families, in order to be on time for the mass, usually offered at 4 or 5 a.m.

In recent years, however, the Church, adapting to the times and the exigencies of work as well as security, has approved the holding of the masses, not only at dawn, but also in late evenings. Hence, devotees can now choose to attend the pre-Christmas masses either at dawn or in the evenings, usually at 8 or 10 p.m.

The hours may have changed, but the fervor of the Misa de Aguinaldo goers has not abated, nor has the attendance at the religious rites diminished. In fact, one finds few churches that are not filled to capacity, with many having to stand all throughout the ceremonies because of the big congregations gathered for them. It is also very heartening, and indeed, a hopeful sign for the times, that more and more young people now make the sacrifice of waking up very early, or coming home late, just so they could participate in what the Tagalog regions call, more appropriately now, as "Simbang Gabi", or night mass.

The practice of the early or late masses is one that tests the religiousity of people and a tradition that, we hope and pray, generations after this one will continue to observe and treasure.*