29 December 2014 – For Filipino-American Catholics, Simbang Gabi ushers in the start of the Christmas Season and it represents some of our deep-rooted ideals - trust in God, love of family and country, and hope for peace on earth.  Today, the celebration thrives even in diaspora and has become one of the major cornerstones of community building for Filipinos in the United States.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles joined the opening of the Simbang Gabi on December 15 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.  This year’s celebration was held under the auspices of the Filipino Ministry of the San Gabriel Region with the theme “Come Jesus, fill us with your Mercy and Compassion (Halina Hesus, puspusin mo kami ng iyong Awa at Habag).

The Philippine Consulate General joined the different parish ministries, Catholic associations, civic and non-governmental organizations in the Parade of Parols at the beginning of the liturgy.  There are about 400,000 Filipinos in the Los Angeles county area.

More than fifty (50) Parishes of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles observed the nine-day novena masses known as Simbang Gabi.  END