The Archdiocese of Manila warned parishes and religious groups against holding Christmas parties this year as cases of the new coronavirus disease continue to surge in the country.
“We know that the gathering of peoples is an occasion usually prone to the spread of the virus,” read the archdiocese “instructions” on the celebration of Christmas.
On Tuesday, November 10, the Philippines’ Department of Health reported 1,347 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the country’s tally to 399,749.
The Health department said that 187 more patients have recovered from the disease, raising the total number of recoveries to 361,919, while the death toll rose to 7,661 with 14 newly-reported deaths.
The archdiocese’s “Instructions on the Celebration of Advent, Simbang Gabi and Christmas” urged the faithful to abstain from holding parties as “an expression of our solidarity with those who are suffering during this pandemic.”
As for the “Simbang Gabi,” the Filipino traditional early morning Mass nine days before Christmas, the archdiocese reminded priests to hold it as early as 6 p.m. and for the morning Mass to start at 6 a.m.
The “instructions” noted that more “Simbang Gabi” Masses can be scheduled in different venues to lessen the number of people attending in one location.
The archdiocese said that as a “pastoral accommodation,” anticipated Masses for “Simbang Gabi” will be allowed with the exception of the anticipation of Monday on Sundays.
The “Vigil Mass,” or Christmas eve Mass, can be celebrated as early as six o’clock in the evening and can use the liturgy of the Midnight Mass of Christmas.
The archdiocese said the dawn Mass of Christmas may also be celebrated early morning of December 25.
“Since the kissing of images is not permitted during the pandemic, families can be encouraged to bring their family image of the infant Jesus during Christmas Masses,” read the archdiocese’s instruction.
It reminded the clergy that if the “Simbang Gabi” Masses will be celebrated in chapels, offices, or places other than the parish church, shrine, or chaplaincy, an explicit permission from Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese, is needed.
The traditional “Misa de Gallo” or “Simbang Gabi” kicks off the official observance of Christmas in the Philippines.
