Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) – The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued some guidelines for the celebration of Simbang Gabi amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
It noted that these adjustments are only applicable during this pandemic.
“These adjustments are done because of the great number of mass-goers during the Simbang Gabi, and the limitations in the number of mass-goers due to the strict social distancing demanded by the IATF as a safety protocol in the prevention of the spread of the virus,” said the CBCP.
“It is our great desire to help our faithful find spiritual nourishment, which they so desire and need, from the liturgical celebrations of the church during this season in this time of the pandemic,” it added.
The CBCP has recommended that Simbang Gabi may start as early as 6 p.m. for the anticipated mass, while the morning mass can be held at 6 a.m.
Simbang Gabi is a nine-day series of early morning or dawn mass, held from Dec. 16 to 24, which usually takes place from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.
“The Bishop of the place in consultation with the pastors of the parishes and in coordination with the LGU could schedule more Simbang Gabi Masses in different venues which can be large enough to accommodate more people and still observing social distancing,” said the CBCP.
With this, the Vigil Mass of Christmas on Dec. 24 may be held at 6 p.m. and the dawn Mass of Christmas may also be celebrated at early morning of Dec. 25.
Furthermore, the CBCP is also encouraging live streaming of masses for the benefit of those who cannot physically attend the celebrations.
Churchgoers are also advised to bring their family image of the Infant Jesus during the Christmas masses as kissing or touching of images are still prohibited.
The CBCP also reminded the Catholic faithful “not to lose sight of the basic components of the celebration, namely the Word of God and Holy Communion.”
“The celebration of Christmas may be different this year,” it said. “We will not have the same frenzy and stressful preparations that we had before the pandemic. But we pray and help our faithful to see the heart and the essence of the season in the simple, sober, silent but strong and loving truth of the God who comes to us in Jesus’ incarnation.”
In October, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease has allowed up to 30% capacity inside religious spaced in areas under general community quarantine.
Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, Davao City, and Davao del Norte are under GCQ until year-end. The rest of the country will be under the more relaxed modified GCQ.
READ: New hours, online platforms: How churches are preparing for Simbang Gabi amid the pandemic
