15th Annual Commissioning Mass Kicks off Bay Area Simbang Gabi 

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the Filipino Catholic community in the Bay Area in the 16th annual commissioning mass for the “simbang gabi” or dawn masses, a Filipino Christmas tradition, organized by the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption on 13 December 2023. Consul General Neil Ferrer attended the celebration, where Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil joined representatives of the parishes under the San Francisco Archdiocese for a procession of parols or Filipino Christmas lanterns. 

The “simbang gabi” is a novena (nine-day) mass that is traditionally celebrated at dawn beginning December 16. The tradition began during the Spanish colonial era when Christmas masses were held before sunrise, to allow farmers to hear mass before they set off to work during the day. In recent times, an anticipated “simbang gabi” is held for nine evenings starting December 15. (San Francisco PCG photos)