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The Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines (CBCP) has published guidelines for churches to observe during the celebration of Simbang Gabi or pre-dawn Masses in accordance with existing health protocols required by national and local government units (LGU).
“The celebration of Christmas may be different this year. We will not have the same hectic and stressful preparations that we had before the pandemic. But we pray and help our faithful to see the heart and essence of the season in the simple, sober, silent but strong and loving truth of the God who comes to us in the incarnation of Jesus, ”said Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP. president, in his directive on the celebration of these Masses.
Dated November 27, but published on December 2, the guidelines strongly emphasize observance of social distancing and other basic safety protocols to help stop the spread of the virus.
Valles also recommended that Simbang Gabi can start at 6 pm, while the last mass of the next day can be at 6 am
“The bishop of the place in consultation with the parish priests and in coordination with the LGU could schedule more Simbang Gabi Masses in different places that can be large enough to house more people and still observe social distancing,” according to the directive .
It also encourages the live broadcast of liturgical celebrations for the faithful who cannot physically attend.
The traditional midnight mass on Christmas Eve, December 24, can begin at 6 p.m.
Christmas Mass on December 25 can also be celebrated early in the morning, Valles said.
The same directive strictly prohibits kissing or touching images but encourages the faithful to bring their familiar image of the Child Jesus during Christmas Masses.
“Amidst the popular and significant Filipino symbols of the Advent and Christmas seasons, it is important not to lose sight of the basic components of the celebration, namely the word of God and Holy Communion,” Valles said.
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