As Catholics around the world celebrate Christmas, the Lake County Filipino Catholic community observed Christmas during the nine-consecutive-day Simbang Gabi novena that began on Dec. 15. The Arch… ...

The Filipino Catholic celebration of Simbang Gabi began in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 15. Simbang Gabi is one of the oldest Filipino Christmas traditions ...

Parishioners place parols, or Filipino Christmas lanterns, on Christmas trees prior to the start of Simbang Gabi at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church on Dec. 16, 2024. Courtesy of Ron Pangan ...

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Simbang Gabi, which translates to “Night Mass,” is a cherished Filipino Catholic tradition that takes place during the Advent season in the lead-up to Christmas.

Some Protestants observe the Catholic tradition of Simbang Gabi, predawn services in the days leading up to Christmas. For Catholics, who make up nearly 80 percent of the Filipino population ...

Rona Fernandez, a writer and member of the Filipino Advocates for Justice, empathized as she ate some cassava cake and pandesal bread at the festival. It was her first time, too. Fernandez’ childhood ...

For the nine days of Simbang Gabi, a series of celebrations for Filipino Catholics leading up to Christmas, ... Following the Dec. 16 Mass at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Greendale, ...

The Filipino Catholic celebration of Simbang Gabi began in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 15. Simbang Gabi is one of the oldest Filipino Christmas traditions, where ...