Continue to Be ‘smugglers of the faith'

Pope Francis to the Filipino Community During the Simbang Gabi at the Vatican:

- Sr. Vicky Victorino, PDDM

Vatican City, December 15, 2019. It was actually the fourth time that the Filipino community in Rome held the first day of the Simbang Gabi or Christmas Novena Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. But what made it ultraspecial this time was the decision of Pope Francis to preside over the Mass, which was attended by around 7,500 people, mostly Filipino migrants working in Rome and neighboring Italian cities.

True to form, the Filipino faithful could not hide their enthusiasm, especially when Pope Francis mentioned the word Simbang Gabi during his homily, eliciting a thunderous applause unheard of in pontifical celebrations at this basilica. He said, “In the Philippines, for centuries, there has been a novena in preparation for Christmas called ‘Simbang Gabi.’ For nine days, the Filipino faithful gather in their parishes for a special Eucharistic celebration. In recent decades, thanks to Filipino migrants, this devotion has crossed national borders and has arrived in many other countries, including Italy and the Vatican.”