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Catholics to join Simbang Gabi 'in droves'; PNP to deploy more personnel: CBCP

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="People flock to the San Felipe Neri parish church in Mandaluyong for the first day of the traditional Simbang Gabi on Dec. 16, 2022. Many churchgoers were excited on the resumption of traditional Christmas practices after almost three years of pandemic restrictions. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/tvpatrol/12/15/20221216-simbang-gabi-gc-4128.jpg"/><figcaption>People flock to the San Felipe Neri parish church in Mandaluyong for the first day of the traditional Simbang Gabi on Dec. 16, 2022. Many churchgoers were excited on the resumption of traditional Christmas practices after almost three years of pandemic restrictions. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Throngs of Catholics are expected to join the 9-day Christmas novena Mass, during which the Philippine National Police will boost the presence of its personnel in churches, the Catholic Bishops&#x27; Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Friday. </p><p>Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings, CBCP public affairs commission executive secretary Father Jerome Secillano noted, &quot;Very regular na ngayon ang mga pagsisimba, hindi na naman tayo ngayon pinagbabawalan.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Kaya in droves ang mga taong ini-expect naming dadating para sa Simbang Gabi,&quot; he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. </p><p>Earlier this month, a bomb attack during a Catholic Mass in Marawi killed at least 4 people and injured around 50 others. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/04/23/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-marawi-bombing">Islamic State claims responsibility for Mass bombing in Marawi</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/06/23/2-members-of-maute-identified-as-suspects-in-deadly-marawi-blast">2 members of local terror group identified as suspects in deadly Marawi blast</a></li></ul><p>The PNP is deploying more personnel to churches, Secillano said. </p><p>&quot;Yun kasing security it’s always a concern. Kahit na walang bombing, lagi tayo dapat alerto sa mga ganitong pangyayari,&quot; the CBCP official said. </p><p>&quot;Ang kagandahan naman sa PNP, ino-augment nila yung presence ng kanilang mga personnel sa simbahan. Mapapansin n’yo ‘yan ngayong Simbang Gabi... [ang] mga pulis nagpapatrolya ‘yan sa simbahan,&quot; he said. </p><p>The CBCP is also coordinating with the National Security Agency, said Secillano, who declined to give more details on the two sides&#x27; talks. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2902383" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div><strong>MASKING UP ENCOURAGED</strong></div><p>The Archdiocese of Manila, meanwhile, is encouraging the use of face masks inside houses of worship following an increase in cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.</p><p>&quot;We will not allow them (illnesses) to deprive us of Christmas joy. We request our communities to observe the health and safety protocols,&quot; Cardinal Jose of Advincula said in a circular quoted by <a href="https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/manila-archdiocese-encourages-voluntary-wearing-of-face-masks-in-simbang-gabi/">CBCP News</a>.  </p><p>“Let us practice voluntary wearing of face masks and hand hygiene,” he added. </p><p>Advincula urged those who are sick “to stay at home so as not to spread infection”.</p><p>“Let these measures be our gesture of charity and compassion for others, especially those who are vulnerable,” the cardinal added.</p><p>Facebook livestreams of Masses are available for those who have to skip the service due to illness or old age, Secillano noted. </p><div><strong>PRAYERS </strong></div><p>It has been a Filipino tradition to complete the Simbang Gabi, also known as the &quot;Misa de Gallo,&quot; celebrated in the early hours of the morning, 9 days before Christmas. </p><p>Some Catholics believe their wishes will be granted if they complete the Simbang Gabi. Among them is Josephine Lipa, a sampaguita vendor in Quiapo Church.</p><p>“Ang tanging hiling ko lang kagalingan lang din, yung magkaroon nang payapang pamumuhay at saka sama-sama yung mga anak, nagkakaisa ang pamilya,” she said.</p><p>Father Jesus Madrid Jr. the parochial vicar of Quiapo Church called on the faithful to embrace the essence of the novena Masses.</p><p>“Sana, unang-una sa lahat kapag tayo ay magsisimba tunay tayong magsisimba, tunay natin na tatanggapin ang sinasabi ng Ppanginoon sa salita ng diyos at hindi tayo pupunta lang sa simbahan para tumambay at mag-abang sa labas. Tunay na pagsisimba ang gawin natin,” he said.</p><p>Plaza Miranda police community precinct commander Capt. Rowell Robles urged churchgoers to refrain from bringing valuable items.</p><p>“Hanggat maaari po, sana huwag tayong magdala ng mga bagay na hindi naman natin dapat dalhin gaya ng alahas, sobrang pera, maliban po kung kinakailangan lang,” he said. </p><div><strong>— With a report from Jose Carretero, ABS-CBN News</strong></div>

Throngs of Catholics are expected to join the 9-day Christmas novena Mass, during which the PNP will boost the presence of its personnel in churches.