The local government allowed the conduct of traditional Misa de Gallo in Davao City. However, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) “still encouraged the live streaming of these liturgical celebrations” for those who could not go out and attend church.
Davao Archibishop and CBCP President Romulo Valles released guidelines on the celebration of Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi and Aguinaldo Masses.
Valles said the Catholic church would be complying with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) guidelines.
“In the past months, we have been limited and sometimes even prevented in our participation from the liturgical celebrations of the church due to the Covid-19. Social distancing is necessary to help stem the spread of the virus. Evening curfew hours have also been imposed in almost all places to prevent people from big gatherings,” Valles said.
“During this time of the pandemic, the Church has adjusted the forms of important seasonal celebrations of the Sacraments and the liturgy,” Valles added.
Davao City allows conduct of Misa de Gallo
To implement physical distancing within churches, he said they are recommending that “for Simbang Gabi, masses in the evening can start as early as 6 p.m. and for the morning the last Aguinaldo Masses, Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi Mass can be at 6 a.m.”
“The Bishop of the place, in consultation with the pastors of the parishes and in coordination with the LGU [local government unit], could schedule more Simbang Gabi Masses in different venues which can be large enough to accommodate more people and still observe social distancing,” he added.
Misa De Gallo would be from December 16 to 24.
On Christmas Eve, Valles said, “the Vigil Mass of Christmas may be celebrated from 6:00 in the evening. The last Mass of December 24 would take the liturgy of the Midnight Mass of Christmas. The dawn Mass of Christmas may also be celebrated early morning of December 25.”