Aklan seminarians usher in Christmas with songsBY CATHNEWS Philippines
A Seminary in the central Philippine province of Aklan welcomed the start of the traditional Christmas Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster) or Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) by offering songs to the faithful.
Priests, deacons and seminarians in the Diocese of Kalibo staged the annual “Daigon Concert” (Carols) this week to prepare the public for the start of the nine days of dawn Masses on Thursday.
In Manila, youth choirs are expected to usher in the season with music on the first day of the Misa de Gallo and the official launch on Thursday of the “Year of the Youth.”
“(The youth) deserve special care and accompaniment…. They will be assisted in developing themselves to become true agents of transformation in Church and in society,” said Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon, head of the Episcopal Commission on Youth.
Priests, deacons and seminarians in the Diocese of Kalibo staged the annual “Daigon Concert” (Carols) this week to prepare the public for the start of the nine days of dawn Masses on Thursday.
In Manila, youth choirs are expected to usher in the season with music on the first day of the Misa de Gallo and the official launch on Thursday of the “Year of the Youth.”
“(The youth) deserve special care and accompaniment…. They will be assisted in developing themselves to become true agents of transformation in Church and in society,” said Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon, head of the Episcopal Commission on Youth.
In observance of the Year of the Youth, dawn Masses in most dioceses in the country will carry themes related to the yung. “They will create themes for the Simbang Gabi in relation to youth,” said youth minister Stephen Borja.
The launching of the Year of the Youth also coincides with the National Youth Day celebration.
In Aklan, this year’s concert featured songs and stories of priests and how Christmas inspired them to pursue their vocation.
Father Emmanuelle Mijares, rector of Santo Nino Seminary, said the concert contextualizes and makes relevant the nine-day Misa de Gallo.
He said the Misa de Gallo and the activities around it are “powerful instruments of evangelization” especially for young people. He said the Christmas dawn Masses, with its songs and music, have become part of local culture.
“It’s a solemn celebration for the Aklanons because of their traditional devotion to the Santo Nino (Baby Jesus),” Father Mijares told ucanews.com.
He said that during the Misa de Gallo priests can “catechize” people because they are more receptive and “early mornings are considered the best time of the day to have a meditation.”
In Aklan, this year’s concert featured songs and stories of priests and how Christmas inspired them to pursue their vocation.
Father Emmanuelle Mijares, rector of Santo Nino Seminary, said the concert contextualizes and makes relevant the nine-day Misa de Gallo.
He said the Misa de Gallo and the activities around it are “powerful instruments of evangelization” especially for young people. He said the Christmas dawn Masses, with its songs and music, have become part of local culture.
“It’s a solemn celebration for the Aklanons because of their traditional devotion to the Santo Nino (Baby Jesus),” Father Mijares told ucanews.com.
He said that during the Misa de Gallo priests can “catechize” people because they are more receptive and “early mornings are considered the best time of the day to have a meditation.”
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