Filipino Knights host 'Simbang Gabi' novena

By RUDY ARCILLA
Special to the WCR
Edmonton

For the first time in the Edmonton Archdiocese, nine consecutive night Masses will be celebrated to prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Nazareno Council 12904 of the Knights of Columbus, with the approval of Archbishop Thomas Collins, will hold nine consecutive "Simbang Gabi" novena Masses at three different Catholic churches starting Dec. 15.

Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition of preparing for the coming of Baby Jesus. The nine evening novena Masses correspond to the nine months of the Virgin Mary's pregnancy with Jesus.

In the Philippines, the Masses are held at 4 a.m. and are called dawn Masses.

Father Jimmy Tablan will celebrate the first Mass Dec. 15 at St. John the Evangelist Church. The seven Masses from Dec. 16 to 22 will be held at St. Theresa Church with Father Nilo Macapinlac celebrating.

Archbishop Thomas Collins will celebrate the novena's concluding Mass Dec. 23 at St. Andrew's Church. All Masses will begin at 8 p.m.

The main thrust of the Masses is to emphasize, within the Philippine culture, that Christmas is about Christ.

The Knights in Edmonton will continue to promote that theme this year with the Monsignor Malone Council, based at St. Joseph's Basilica, again selling lawn signs with a nativity scene and which say "Christ is Christmas."

The Edmonton chapter of the K of C is sponsoring billboards and bus-tail signs promoting the Christmas message.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter