Simbang Gabi in Saigon

The Simbang Gabi (simba, origin. Filipino: refers to the act of going to church, and gabi, origin. Filipino, refers to evening) is the Filipino tradition of Christmas novena masses, held from December 16-24,  originally in dawn mornings from 4:00am-5:00pm. The Simbang Gabi is a commemoration of the time Joseph and Mary were looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

In Saigon, there is Christmas novena masses held at the Pastoral Center that started last Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6:00am.

Yesterday, Father Rocco, the Italian priest hosted the novena mass and gave a beautiful message to the Filipino community. He said this simbang gabi is a very important expression of the Christian faith. It is a beautiful celebration of preparing for Jesus Christ. The simbang gabi performed by the Filipino communities in many places around the world makes the Catholic faith universal. He claimed that Filipinos may not be aware of it, but its simplicity makes it an act of mission in it itself. It is a very beautiful expression of faith and the Filipinos are the missionaries.

 

Christmas novena masses, Dec. 16-24, 2015 6:00am, 2nd Floor, Museum Chapel, Archdiocese of Saigon Pastoral Center Address: 6Bis Ton Duc Thang St. Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

He also talked about the role of Joseph in the church, his silent obedience to the faith, maybe a mystery to many but is an act of commitment to God and we need to heed such as faith sometimes does not require logical approval.

I am fortunate to attend this novena masses this year. It has been some time I have not done it. Looking forward to join again today. The Filipino community is singing beautiful Christmas songs. I silently cried during the first morning as I miss my family back home.

 

 

Catholic English Mass in Saigon

There is an increasing number of Catholics in Vietnam. For English speaking Catholic expats, it will be a lot comfortable to participate in an English mass. In HCMC, there are several churches. The two places near Le Thanh Ton are just a few blocks away.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This is the Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception and is commonly known as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica.

Address: Công xã Paris Bến Nghé, tp. Hồ Chí Minh, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

The English mass is every Sunday at 9:30am. Ideally, if you are joining the mass, arrive at 9:00am. The choir usually practices the singing of the Psalms and the Alleluia with the churchgoers before starting the Holy Mass. Oftentimes, there will be two, three or even five priests co-celebrating the mass. At this hour, the church really gets filled up by tourists and regular parishioners.

This is the Archdiocese of Saigon Pastoral Center Address: 6Bis Ton Duc Thang St. Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

The English mass here is every Saturday, 6:00pm, an anticipated mass. The celebration is held at the 2nd floor auditorium.

Christmas novena mass for 2015 will be held in the chapel of the Pastoral Center starting 16th of December until 24th December at 6:00am.

The Pastoral Center has a car and motorbike parking available in the compound.

If it is difficult for you to find the exact address in google maps, use the Audi Vietnam as the landmark. The whole block has no. 6 as the address. The Pastoral Center stands next to Audi Vietnam.

Schedule of English Christmas Novena Masses 2015

December 16-24, 2015, 6.00am. Museum Chapel

December 19, 2015, 6.00pm. Archdiocese Pastoral Center Auditorium

Christmas, Solemnity of the Lord’s Birth

New Update: Dec. 19, anticipated mass will be held at the Saint Paul’s Chapel, same area, Ton Duc Thang St.

December 24, 2015, 8.00pm. Archdiocese Pastoral Center Auditorium

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God / New Year’s Eve Mass

December 31, 2015, 8.00pm. Archdiocese Pastoral Center Auditorium