Simbang Gabi dawn Masses 2023 start

Filipino Catholic devotees trooped to churches before dawn on Saturday for the start of the nine-day Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo dawn Masses.

At the St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Kawit, Cavite, every pew was occupied, thus devotees who could not be accommodated inside the church heard the Mass outside.

The Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City was also fully packed despite the light rains, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Dobol B TV.

LOOK: Dumagsa ang mga dumalo sa Simbang Gabi sa Sto. Domingo Church sa Quezon City. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/WMGGLKXkja

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 15, 2023

In Las Piñas City, devotees filled the grounds at the Saint Joseph Parish or Bamboo Organ Church to hear Mass.

At the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church in Manila, the first Misa de Gallo was celebrated at 4 a.m. and attended by many devotees.

Outside churches, vendors put up stalls selling freshly cooked puto bumbong and bibingka, traditional rice cakes offered after Simbang Gabi.

LOOK: Presyo ng puto bumbong at bibingka sa labas ng Sto. Domingo Parish sa Quezon City, tumaas ng ?5 hanggang ?10 dahil sa mataas na presyo ng sangkap. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/KXhhZ7Ewik

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 15, 2023

According to Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Father Jesus Madrid, the nine days of masses were in preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, December 25.

“Taimtim na magsimba…Nine days na paghahanda sa pagdating ng Panginoon mula sa pagbibigay parangal kay Maria [na] nine months dinala Panginoon at ibinigay sa mundo,” Madrid said.

(Go to Mass wholeheartedly. Nine days of preparation for the arrival of Christ from the time of honoring Mary for the nine months she carried Christ before He was given to the world.)

The Simbang Gabi last Mass will be held on December 24.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) earlier said it will go on red alert starting on December 16 to closely watch the Simbang Gabi.

The NCRPO said it will beef up its security deployment in and around churches.

Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula issued a circular on health and safety protocols for the Christmas season amid reports of COVID-19 cases and respiratory diseases.

"We request our communities to observe the health and safety protocols. Let us practice voluntary wearing of face masks and hand hygiene. Those who are ill must be reminded to stay at home so as not to spread infection," said Advincula. —KG, GMA Integrated News