Filipinos to mark traditional nine-day novena, ‘Simbang Gabi’

The Diocesan Commission of Catholic Filipino Ministries invites the faithful to participate in this year’s “Simbang Gabi” celebration. It’s a nine-day novena in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus Christ to be held in 17 local churches, from Friday, Dec. 15 to Saturday, Dec. 23.

“Simbang Gabi” or “Mass of the Night” is a Filipino tradition but all Masses will be celebrated in English. At some churches, depending on the community the Mass may be bi-lingual in Tagalog or Spanish.

Two Masses will be held during each evening, from Dec. 15-22.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will celebrate a Mass with Father Javier Bareno concelebrating in St. Anthony of Padua Church in Passaic on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. The bishop will celebrate Mass on the final night of “Simbang Gabi” on Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m. with Father Henry Pinto concelebrating in St. Paul Church in Prospect Park. A Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated at noon at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Rockaway.

Below is the schedule of “Simbang Gabi” Masses for 2023:

• FRIDAY, DEC. 15
• 6 p.m. — St. Clare Church in Clifton; Father Peter Glabik and Father Jun Viscarra
• 7 p.m. — Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Rockaway; Father Emerson Francisco

• SATURDAY, DEC. 16
• 7 p.m. — St. Therese Church in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township; Father Richard Kilcomons and Father Jun Vizcarra
• 7 p.m. — St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes; Franciscan Father Julian Jagudilla and Father Greg Gaston

• SUNDAY, DEC. 17
• 5 p.m. — Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Passaic; Father Lem Camacho and Father Andres Baquero
• 6 p.m. — Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in the Pompton Plains neighborhood of Pequannock; Father Darwin Lastra and Father Greg Gaston

• MONDAY, DEC. 18
• 7 p.m. — St. Christopher Church in Parsippany; Father Luis Hernandez
• 7 p.m. — St. Francis of Assisi Church in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque; Father Jake Parinas

• TUESDAY, DEC. 19
• 7 p.m. — Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Dover; Father Cerilo Javinez
• 7 p.m. — St. Anthony of Padua Church in Passaic; Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Father Javier Bareno

• WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20
• 7 p.m. — Our Lady of Mercy Church in Whippany; Father Michal Rybinski
• 7 p.m. — Our Lady of the Holy Angels Church in Little Falls; Father Joey Mactal and Msgr. Mark Condon

• THURSDAY, DEC. 21
• 6 p.m. — St. James of the Marches Church in Totowa; Father Joey Mactal
• 7:45 p.m. — St. Joseph Church in Lincoln Park; Father Artur Zaba

• FRIDAY, DEC. 22
• 6:30 p.m. — St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany; Father Vidal Gonzales Jr. and Father David Pickens
• 7 p.m. — St. Philip the Apostle Church in Clifton; Father Nico Quintos and Father David Monteleone

• SATURDAY, DEC. 23
• 5:30 p.m. — St. Paul Church in Prospect Park; Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Father Henry Pinto

• MONDAY, DEC. 25
• Noon — Noon Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Rockaway; Father Cerilo Javinez