Filipinos in Dubai welcome back 'Simbang Gabi' Christmas tradition on-site

Dubai: Christmas is just around the corner and Filipino Catholics in Dubai will once again be able to cherish Simbang Gabi, one of their long-held religious traditions this festive season.

Face-to-face Simbang Gabi, a devotional nine-day series of Masses traditionally held at dawn, is back at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, beginning on Thursday, December 16, at 6am.

He added: “It is so wonderful to be able to do this [Simbang Gabi] once again. This bring us happiness and we welcome the liberating message that Christmas brings to the world.”

No registration required

St. Francis Church posted on its website: “Please note that from 16th December to 24th December, there will be Simbang Gabi [Misa De Gallo] at 6am in the Church + Hall. The English 6.15am Mass will be suspended until 25th December. There is no registration required and no restrictions on age for Simbang Gabi. It will be on a first-come first-served basis.”

St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sharjah will also have a live Simbang Gabi starting from December 15 until December 23 at 8pm. The mass, however, on December 17 will be at 6.45pm.

Online Simbang Gabi

Meanwhile, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha, Dubai, and St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi will only have virtual Simbang Gabi.

St. Joseph’s will start the livestreaming of the mass on December 15 at 7.30pm while St. Mary’s Church will have their online Simbang Gabi from December 15 until December 23 every 8pm via SMCFilipino Facebook page.

‘Togetherness of kabayans’

‘Thank you, UAE’

Filipino expat Rem Sagarino, a Dubai resident, added: “We are so blessed that after 20-plus months we can now attend the Filipino tradition Simbang Gabi at our church. I would like to say a big appreciation to the UAE government for handling the pandemic well. We can now return to our churches safely with our family and friends.”

Caloy Serrano, a church volunteer, said: “Simbang Gabi is a yearly tradition that we look forward to. I’m sure many Filipinos will go to St Francis Church. But I also pray that everyone will practice the health protocols, like social distancing and wearing of face masks. God bless and advanced Merry Christmas to everyone.”