Saipan is blessed by a visit of another cardinal, twice in less than three months! His Eminence Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle, DD, Archbishop of Manila is on island this weekend to lead the 40th year celebration of Simbang Gabi in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
It was just last October that His Eminence Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga visited the island and celebrated Mass with the youth and CCD students. He also led the Spiritual Retreat of Bishop Ryan and the clergy of the diocese.
This weekend, hundreds or perhaps thousands of faithful will flock to their respective parishes around the diocese at the early hours of the dawn to mark the beginning of Simbang Gabi. Simbáng Gabi is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Simbang Gabi Group, a Filipino organization who every year coordinates this event at Mt. Carmel Cathedral has invited Cardinal Tagle to be the guest of honor for this celebration.
It was on Christmas of 1978 that the first nine days of Simbang Gabi was celebrated in Saipan, as an initiative by the Filipino communities working and living on island. What started as a pastoral way of ministering to Filipino migrants so that they may reconnect with their traditional way of preparing for Christmas, over the years has become an enrichment to the faith of the local church.
Forty years later, the Simbang Gabi has become an integral part of the preparation for Christmas and a wonderful compliment to the devout local practice of praying the Novena to the Niño Jesus at the homes.
Cardinal Tagle is scheduled to preside the 2nd Day of Simbang Gabi at Mt. Carmel Cathedral at 4 AM and 6 AM Mass. He is a well-loved prelate in the Philippines because of his simple and humble personality and his charismatic preaching which is so down to earth yet able to reach the hearts of his listeners.
The 60 year old cardinal was ordained priest for the Diocese of Imus, Cavite. In December 12, 2001, he was ordained bishop for the same diocese. Ten years later, he was appointed Archbishop of Manila and eventually elevated to cardinal on November 24, 2012.
