The Filipino community in Saigon

In my search for the Christmas eve mass last month, I was lucky to have found the Simbang Gabi in District 1, Saigon. It was headed by Sister Elmie and a regular Filipino community consisting of Pinoys working in different locations in Saigon that formed the group participating in the Christmas novena masses. There are also two Filipino priests, Fr. Dante and Fr. Christian who regularly serve in the mass with a few Vietnamese seminarians.

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The Filipino Community in Saigon

Last December 24 after the last simbang gabi, we all had a Christmas breakfast, our get-together to share the spirit of Christmas.

The simbang gabi was annually held at the Museum Chapel of the Pastoral Center in Tôn Đức Thắng. Tôn Đức Thắng, a long major road would have the affluent stores like Audi or Ducati, the Saigon Trade Center and other well-known prestigious insurance companies. The said street is also the nest of some of the big Catholic centers, the Archdiocese Pastoral Center, the Saint Paul Sisters Center and the Carmelite Sisters.

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The Archdiocese Pastoral Center, the Carmelite Convent (upper right) and the Saint Paul Church, all along Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

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.