Misa De Gallo

The Misa De Gallo is one of the beautiful Filipino traditions, we Filipinos, have practiced since the time of the Spaniards. On these novena masses at early dawn, “the liturgical texts of Advent are more directly concerned with the immediate preparation for the Christmas feast” (Cf. Ordo). These are the early mornings dedicated to intensify our prayers in joyful and hopeful longing for the birth of the Messiah and not only for social gathering, neither only for asking God’s favor, nor offering sacrifices just to expect something in return. We have been favored already.

Pope Francis in saying the first Misa De Gallo in the Vatican in 2019 said: “In recent decades, thanks to Filipino migrants, this devotion has crossed national borders and has arrived in many other countries.” But he also challenged us: “We are all called to practice charity together with those who live in the existential peripheries, using our different gifts to renew the signs of the presence of the Kingdom.”

As we celebrate the Misa De Gallo, may the example of Mary and Joseph enrich our spiritual lives to experience and attend to Christ to the least brothers and sisters of ours this Christmas.