CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Archdiocese of San Fernando announced that the real and actual celebration of the "Simbang Bengi" or "Misa De Aguinaldo" will officially start on December 15, 2022.
In its Liturgical Directive for the Simbang Bengi 2022 contained in Circular No. 48 Series of 2022 dated December 12, the Archdiocese of San Fernando said that the "Simbang Bengi" is the traditional Filipino Catholics' preparation for the celebration of Christmas Day and season, and is a novena of Masses celebrated nine days before Christmas in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for the perseverance of the nation in faith.
The Liturgical Directive stipulates that Masses in the evening can start as early as 6:00 PM and for the morning, the last "Simbang Bengi" is at 6:00 AM (Veritas Temporis). As a pastoral accommodation, the "anticipation" of the following day during evening "Simbang Bengi" will be allowed on December 15 to 23.
On Christmas Eve (December 24), the Vigil Mass of Christmas may be celebrated from 6:00 in the evening. Traditionally, Christmas has three Masses: the midnight Mass called "Maitinis," the dawn Mass, and the day Mass. The dawn Mass of Christmas may also be celebrated early morning of December 25 at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM, the Liturgical Directive stated.
The Archdiocese of San Fernando strongly encourages men and women religious, the laity of the archdiocese and the faithful to a "real and actual celebration of the Simbang Bengi."
"Let us strongly encourage our parishioners to a real and actual celebration of the 'Simbang Bengi' and all other Masses subsequently in our chapels and churches, and no longer through virtual and online watching," it said, adding "Simbang Bengi" Masses are best celebrated in parish churches, shrines and chapels and not in malls, hotels, resorts, offices, radio and TV stations, and private homes.
The Liturgical Directive, signed by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, furthered that the circular letter of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments dated September 3, 2020, which noted that while the broadcast and live streaming of Masses "perform a valued service to the sick and those who are unable to go to church," virtual services do not replace personal participation as sacramental encounter is absent in online Masses.