Filipino 'Simbang Gabi' Christmas tradition returns Dec. 15

HOUSTON - On Dec. 15, some of the 50,000 Filipino Catholics in the Archdiocese will begin celebrating Simbang Gabi, a beloved Filipino Christmas tradition that consists of a novena of Masses held in anticipation of the Nativity and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi ("Mass at Dawn") Masses are traditionally held in the early hours of the morning, but in Houston the Masses are celebrated at night to allow more faithful to attend.

This year, nearly 30 parishes are hosting a Simbang Gabi Mass, with at least four hosting daily Masses during the entirety of the novena, beginning on Dec. 15. After Dec. 15, Masses are held across the Archdiocese, with the final concluding Mass, also known as the Grand Culmination Mass, held on Dec. 22 at Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, located at 26777 Glen Loch Dr. in The Woodlands. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will preside over the Dec. 22 Mass. 

For more, including contact information, visit the official Simbang Gabi ministry website hosted by the Filipino Ministry Council of the Archdiocese.

Listed below is a partial schedule of Simbang Gabi Masses held around the Archdiocese. The list will be updated as information is made available.

Daily Novena Masses

• St. Dominic, 8215 Reservoir St., Houston - Dec. 16-24 at 5 a.m.
• St. John Neumann, 2730 Nelwood Dr., Houston - Dec. 16-24 at 5:30 a.m.
• Sacred Heart, Manvel, 6502 CR 48, Manvel - Dec. 15-21 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 22-23 at 5 a.m.
• Notre Dame, 7720 Boone Rd., Houston - Dec. 15-23 at 5 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 15

• St. Patrick, 1010 35th St., Galveston - 7 p.m. with potluck dinner and dance reception after Mass in Parish Hall
• Christ The Good Shepherd, 18511 Klein Church Rd., Spring - 6:30 p.m.
• Prince Of Peace, 19222 SH 249, Houston - 7 p.m.
• Sacred Heart, 109 North Frazier St., Conroe - 7 p.m.
• St. Francis de Sales, 8200 Roos Rd., Houston - 7 p.m. Mass in Tagalog
• St. Angela Merici, 9009 Sienna Ranch Rd., Missouri City - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Justin Martyr, 13350 Ashford Point Dr., Houston - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Edith Stein, 3311 N Fry Rd., Katy - 7:30 p.m. with carols at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Corpus Christi, 9900 Stella Link Rd., Houston - 6 a.m.
• St. Albert of Trapani, 11027 S Gessner Rd., Houston - 5 p.m.
• St. Jude Thaddeus, 800 S. Main St., Highlands - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Thomas Aquinas, 12627 W. Bellfort Blvd., Sugar Land - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Laurence, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Michael the Archangel, 100 Oak Dr. South, Lake Jackson - 7 p.m.
• Epiphany of the Lord, 530 Norwalk Dr., Katy -  7:30 p.m.
• St. Edward, 2601 Spring Stuebner Rd, Spring - 7:30 p.m. with carols at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 17

• St. James the Apostle, 22800 Aldine Westfield Rd., Spring - 5 p.m.
• St. Luke the Evangelist, 11011 Hall Rd., Houston - 5 p.m. with Rosary at 4:15 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 18

• St. Bartholomew, 5356 11th St., Katy - 6 p.m.
• Christ The Redeemer, 11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston - 7 p.m. with prelude at 6:45 p.m

Tuesday, Dec. 19

• St. Ignatius of Loyola, 7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

• St. Anne, 1111 S Cherry St., Tomball - 6:30 p.m.
• St. Anthony of Padua, 7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:45 p.m.
• Holy Family, 1510 Fifth St., Missouri City - 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 21

• St. Theresa, 705 St Theresa Blvd., Sugar Land - 5:30 p.m.
• St. Matthew the Evangelist, 9915 Hollister St., Houston - 7 p.m. 

Friday, Dec. 22

• Grand Culmination Archdiocesan Simbang Gabi Mass
  Sts. Simon & Jude - 26777 Glen Loch Dr., The Woodlands - 7 p.m. with carols at 6:30 p.m. 
  Main Celebrant: Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 6646 Addicks Satsuma Rd., Houston - 7 p.m.