9 Days of Christmas

On the way to St Francis Chapel, 1st night.

I knew that creating this bucket list meant sacrificing a lot on my part. Although these are the things that I would like to do for myself, I knew that it also meant giving up some of the things that I value. One of which is sleep. And in the month of December when Christmas parties are in its full swing, waking up at 4:30AM everyday can be such a task.


One of my personal drives in attending and completing my Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo masses is my sister. You see, she has never attended Simbang Gabi in the mornings as well. And when I found out that she was coming with us to wake up everyday and hear mass when she could very well sleep at home, I thought "If my sister can do it, so should I."


So everyday, for 9 mornings, together with my mom and Ate Susan, Mea and I would wake up at 4:30AM and hear mass. The 4 of us would quietly walk from our place to the chapel, or sometimes ride the car in silence, as the early morning atmosphere commanded us to be quiet. My sister Mea and I usually sat beside each other during the mass. And for this, I am grateful. Because aside from being my personal drive, my sister also served as my, for lack of a better term, angel, during this time. During the times when I'd inadvertently doze off during mass, she would, without fail, wake me in all the creative but subtle ways she can think of.. she'd nudge me.. hit my leg with her fist, stare me down.. wave her hands across my face.. and whatnot. And as soon as I'd come back to my senses, she'd roll her eyes at me. As I said, for these, I am grateful to her. 

Thanks to my sister, I got forever immortalized in my im-sleepy-but-im-trying-to-be-awake face.

In my defense, I am proud to say that after the first few masses, I have successfully stayed awake throughout the entire mass for the rest of the days. Ok ok, except for that one other day (the second to the last mass). I tried so hard. I really did. And I think that that should count for something.


Anyhow. All these aside, attending Misa de Gallo was definitely worth the "inconvenience" of waking up real early in the morning. Praying with a community for more than a week is different from praying on your own. The last time I prayed with a community on a daily basis like this was when I attended the ACLC Silent Retreats almost a decade ago.

St Francis Chapel, Fernwood Gardens

I must also admit that another motivation for myself is to pray for my special intention.. Your special intention, they say, comes true if you complete the 9-day novena of Misa de Gallo. My wish is not for myself, which I think makes it more meaningful. And in all the days that I've attended Simbang Gabi, I never failed to pray for that  intention. And whether this will be heard, is just a bonus.

On the last day of our Simbang Gabi, I waited in line to greet the priest and ask for his blessing. I asked him if I can take a picture with him, not so much as a proof that I attended his masses, but to immortalize my first Misa de Gallo experience. It was an added bonus that Fr Sonny blessed my sister when he found out that it would be her birthday the next day, December 25.

Mea, Fr Sonny and myself

Before we went home on our last day, I treated my Simbang Gabi-mates to breakfast to good ol' Jollibee as my personal thanks to them. I know that they have their own reasons for attending all the masses as well. But for me, their presence, just like my sister's, meant a lot.

My Mom, Ate Susan, myself and Mea

Even without a bucket list, I hope I still get the drive to do this next year and years after. Whether I'll have a special intention or none, this is definitely one new tradition I'd be happy to make.

Thanks Fr Sonny!

When: Dec 16 - 24, 2011

Where: St Francis Chapel, Fernwood Gardens