Dawn masses outside churches allowed if...

MANILA, Philippines — The traditional Simbang Gabi or dawn masses will be allowed to be celebrated in offices and other venues provided that organizers are able to secure permission from the Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM).

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula issued a circular covering the guidelines on the nine-day novena masses, which are held in preparation for the Christmas celebration.

Advincula said these novena masses should be conducted in parish churches, shrines and chaplaincy, except when the RCAM gives its permission to hold the masses in other venues.

“Our archdiocesan policy provides that if Simbang Gabi masses are to be celebrated in places other than churches, permission from the Manila archbishop has to be sought,” Advincula said.

The dawn masses are held from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 while anticipated masses are from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23.

The Simbang Gabi can start as early as 7 p.m. for evening and dawn masses. The last Simbang Gabi mass can start at 5:30 a.m.

On Christmas Eve, the vigil mass may be celebrated from 6 p.m. The last mass on the evening of Dec. 24 would take the liturgy of the midnight mass of Christmas.

The dawn mass on Christmas is celebrated on the early morning of Dec. 25.

“Let us encourage our parishioners to pray together as families so that the seasons of Advent and Christmas will be occasioned by meaningful encounters with the Lord,” Advincula said.