Thousands of Catholics from throughout Southern California participated in Los Angeles’ 20th annual Simbang Gabi celebration, one of the oldest Filipino Christmas traditions, with a special Mass on Thursday, Dec.15 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The celebration kicked off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas, with services planned for various parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Parols are ready for the procession of stars during the annual Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics attended the annual event which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A procession of stars takes place at the beginning of the Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics from around the southland attended the annual event which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Archbishop José H. Gomez smiles prior to the Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics from around the southland attended the celebration which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thousands of Filipino Catholics attended the annual Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. The event kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thousands of Filipino Catholics attended the annual Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. The event kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Archbishop José H. Gomez looks on prior to the Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics from around the southland attended the celebration which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thousands of Filipino Catholics attended the annual Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. The event kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A youngster documents the Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics from around the southland attended the annual Mass which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thousands of Filipino Catholics attend the annual Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. The annual event kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Archbishop José H. Gomez presides over the Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics from around the southland attended the celebration which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Archbishop José H. Gomez looks on prior to the Simbang Gabi Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels December 15, 2022. Thousands of Filipino Catholics from around the southland attended the celebration which kicks off nine days of prayer leading up to Christmas.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Thursday’s celebration of Mass was preceded by “Parade of Parols,” or lanterns, featuring members from more than 120 parishes around the region.
The parols, a longtime Philippine Christmas symbol, were blessed at the end of the Mass.
In the Philippines, the parol is used to light up homes and is carried by parishioners attending Simbang Gabi Mass, or “Mass before dawn,” before Christmas each year.
The Filipino tradition dates back nearly 500 years.
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