Christmas of 2011. What started as a dare turned into a true-blue devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Lord. At first, we were just kidding about doing a sort of Visita Iglesia for our 9-day Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) for this year, but after our 2nd night, we figured we might actually do it. And do it we did!
Below is the list of the churches we visited for this year’s Simbang Gabi.
Dec. 15 – San Isidro Labrador, Pasay City
We actually witnessed the lighting of the Christmas Tree, which started at 8 p.m. The mass started at 8:30, so you can just imagine how sleepy people were.
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| San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Pasay City |
Dec. 16 – Holy Cross Parish, Makati City
This is our parish church. We bought a parol (Christmas Lantern), which is a kind of fund raiser for the upcoming 30th year celebration of our parish. The tree was beautiful, the church-goers were still alert, and the choir was magnificent. Is it obvious how much I love this parish?
Dec. 17 – We had to skip this night’s mass since we had so many functions to attend to. I’m going to write about what happened during this day in a different entry.
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| Holy Cross Parish, J.P. Rizal, Makati City |
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| The Christmas Tree and the Belen |
Dec. 18 – Sta. Ana Church, Manila (4 a.m.)
We had to wake up at 3:30 since we had to go to church. It was a rainy morning, and our bones were complaining for waking up this early. This church is home to Our Lady of the Abandoned. The church is super old and super beautiful. Sadly, the youth who went to mass were so unruly. During the “Peace be with you” part of the mass, a group of high school students (or I think out of school youth) even shouted “Mga kabataan, peace!” How rude was that.
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| Sta. Ana Church, Manila (Home of Our Lady of the Abandoned) |
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| Outside shot of Sta. Ana Church |
Dec. 18 – Greenbelt Chapel, Makati
The Chapel in the middle of the Greenbelt mall complex. Go here if you need a quiet respite. Mass started at 8 pm. Sorry for the pictures; they are all from my cellphone.
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| An image from the projector outside the Greenbelt Chapel |
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| Greenbelt Chapel's Dome |
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| Christmas decorations on the lawn of the chapel |
Dec. 19 – St. Andrew Parish, Bel-air, Makati
This church found at the corner of Reposo St., and Kalayaan is another quiet haven. It’s amazing how peaceful this place is depite its proximity to the Makati CBD.
Dec. 20 – Our Lady of La Paz Parish, Makati
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| Inside St. Andrew Parish (where our favorite priest is assigned in :) |
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| Churchgoers inside St. Andrew Church |
We went to mass at this parish since we did some Christmas errands, and this church is one of those few that have Simbang Gabi masses as late as 9 p.m. Another example is the St. Paul Parish, Makati. I need to mention how we enjoyed the mass here because of the young priest who celebrated the mass. Religious people like him are really inspiring.
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| Our Lady of La Paz's altar |
Dec. 21 – National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, San Antonio, Makati
The first time I went to this church, I thought this is a place to get married in. It has a beautiful altar, just the right length of aisle, and the right size in terms of seating capacity. Of course I was already married that time. We were so impressed by the choir here.
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| National Shrine of the Sacred Heart's altar |
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| Entrance |
Dec. 22 – Don Bosco Parish, Makati
I had one of the best masses here last Dec. 22. Let me just share some things to reflect on as was mentioned by the priest who celebrated the mass: 1.) The 9-day Simbang Gabi is a Novena for the Blessed Virgin, 2.) What is really the essence of Christmas?, 3.) Who are we to dictate what God has to give us?
Amidst all the preparations and parties we go to, aren’t we forgetting the reason why we are celebrating Christmas?
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| Don Bosco's altar |
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| Outside Don Bosco Parish facing Pasay Road and an Ayala Condominium |
Dec. 23 – Ayala Triangle
The mass started at 6 p.m. before the Lights and Sound show. There were a lot of people who were around the area since they were all waiting for the show. However, only a few really attended mass. Suggestion to the Ayalas: Could you also place a small chapel in this area? I believe some people would really want to go to mass here even during ordinary time. Also, placing a special place for masses would really help solemnize religious events.
The masses in the evening often start at 8. However, it’s also good to call the parish office to make sure that you’ll not arrive too early or late.
Okay, so in reflection, was it worth it to do a pseudo-Visita Iglesia for the Simbang Gabi? Yes. Would I do it next year? Hmmm, probably. I’m still too sleepy to decide.
And the things I learned were:
1. There are different types of Catholics, really.
2. Some churches have good audio system while others really need to upgrade. No matter how much I really wanted to listen, some churches really have bad sound systems that really tend to be too distracting.
3. Parents must really not let their children go to church wearing short-shorts, transparent blouses, sandos, etc. I don’t know if it’s just me, or it’s really distracting to see these young people go to church just to meet their friends, boyfriends or girlfriends.
4. Puto bumbong and bibingka are already too commercialized to taste how they are supposed to.
5. Many Filipinos really look for solace in God. We really do not need to do polls or surveys to know that it’s faith that keeps most people going despite the hardships people face.
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