Simbang Gabi, Saturday of the Third Week of Advent, 12/17/2011

I think Mother Nature was kind to us this year. Unlike the previous two years, we actually had a nice, clear morning. For the first time in three years, the Filipino Community of Central North Carolina had their annual Simbang Gabi Mass early morning. It was celebrated at 5:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church in Durham. For more about the Simbang Gabi tradition, click here for an explanation, courtesy of the Archdiocese of Manila website. Curious about the guidelines the Archdiocese had laid for the celebration of Simbang Gabi? You may also click here to read all about it. Even though the guidelines are specific to the Archdiocese of Manila, it's a great starting point if you plan to celebrate one or more Simbang Gabi Masses in your parish.

The Mass, celebrated by Fr Ryan Zamora Carnecer, CICM, was conducted in Tagalog. The music was provided by the Fatima choir, which was under the direction of Linda McGloin. The Mass was followed by a reception which featured traditional Filipino food found post-Simbang Gabi.

This year, I didn't have anything to do with the planning of the Mass or of the music, so please excuse the Christmas music in this list. I know, the usual arguments is that it's not Christmas yet and where is the Advent music? I didn't intend to sing with the choir this year, but I was asked to by several choir members, so I joined them. Luckily for me, I knew all the music, so it was all good.

With that, here is the list of music, with attributions as I was able to find them.

Prelude:

• O Little Town of Bethlehem (ST. LOUIS)
• We Three Kings of Orient Are (KINGS OF ORIENT)
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (VENI, VENI EMMANUEL)
• Himig ng Pasko (Apo Hiking Society)

Opening Hymn: Pag-aalaala (MV Francisco, SJ)
Kyrie: Panginoon, maawa ka (TV Vinteres, CsSR)
Gloria: Papuri sa Diyos (Hontiveros)*
Psalm: Psalm 80 (recited responsorially)
Gospel Acclamation: Aleluya (Hontiveros)
Offertory: Balang Araw (MV Francisco, SJ; J Borres, SJ)
Sanctus: Santo, Santo (Hontiveros)
Memorial Acclamation: Si Kristo ay namatay (Anon., traditional)
Concluding Acclamation: Amen (unattributed... something in d minor, though)
Lord's Prayer: Ama Namin (Vinteres)
Agnus Dei: Kordero ng Diyos (Hontiveros)
Communion Hymns

• Silent Night (O tahimik na daigdig; STILLE NACHT)
• O Holy Night (Cantique de Nöel, A. Adam)

Closing Hymn: Ang Pasko ay Sumapit (L. Celerio)

* I am aware that during Advent, the Gloria is not sung. However, an exception has been made for this set of Masses. This explanation comes courtesy of Fr Mel Portula, CICM, who is now based in Baguio City, Philippines:

During Misa de Gallo – a nine-day novena before Christmas popular in the Philippines and among Filipinos around the world, "Gloria" is sung. Novena Masses have a unique liturgical character. The "Gloria" is sung on these Masses and the vestment color is white. I believe that since Misa de Gallo is considered a novena, then "Gloria" is sung and white is the color of the vestment, not purple. All Masses during the nine-day novenas follow the same structure and rubric, even the one that falls on Sunday.

So there you have it. It was an issue we had debated back when we first started doing Simbang Gabi Masses here in Central NC.

The next Simbang Gabi in central North Carolina will probably be on December 22, 2012.