PH Consulate General in Milan Joins Simbang Gabi in Duomo di Milano

Monsignor Franco Agnesi, Vicario Generale, with Don Alberto Vitali were joined by three Filipino priests in the celebration of the Simbang Gabi at the Duomo di Milano. (Milan PCG photo)

MILAN 18 January 2019 — The Consulate General in Milan joined the Filipino community on the third night of the Simbang Gabi at the Duomo di Milano on 17 December 2018.

The tri-lingual concelebrated mass was led by Monsignor Franco Agnesi, Vicario Generale, with Don Alberto Vitali, in-charge of Office for pastoral care of Migrants and parish priest of Sto. Stefano, and three other Filipino priests from different parishes in Milan.

The mass was celebrated with a festive rendition of Filipino Christmas songs by various members of Filipino church choirs. More than 400 Filipinos braved the cold wind and below zero temperature to troop to the cathedral to attend the special novena mass.

Consul General Irene Susan B. Natividad delivered her Christmas message just before the final blessing, calling on the community to be thankful for the many blessings throughout the year and asking them to continue to pray for the Philippines, Italy and most especially for countries experiencing strife, hunger, poverty and suffering.

The organizing committee of the Simbang Gabi this year was led by Fr. Bong Osial of the San Lorenzo and San Donato Filipino Catholic communities. END

For more information, visit www.milanpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philcongenmilan.net.

Consul General Irene Susan B. Natividad passing on the wine to the Monsignor Franco Agnesi, Vicario Generale. (Milan PCG photo)

Filipinos in Milan packed Duomo di Milano for the Simbang Gabi. (Milan PCG photo)