ABU DHABI (RVA News): Nearly 18,000 overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] gathered at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi on 17 December 2025, as the Filipino Catholic community celebrated the third Simbang Gabi Mass. The liturgy was led by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation – Section for the First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches.
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle reflected on the deeper meaning of Simbang Gabi, reminding the faithful that it is not simply a cultural tradition but a spiritual journey, modelled on the Holy Family. He explained that the nine days of Simbang Gabi mirror the nine months Mary carried Jesus, symbolising patient waiting and faithful accompaniment.
“Simbang Gabi is not just a ritual,” the cardinal said. “It is a spirituality. We accompany Mary as she carries Jesus, and in doing so, we allow ourselves to be prepared, heart and soul, for the coming of the Lord.”
Reflecting on the gospel account of the Annunciation to Joseph, he highlighted that both Mary and Joseph were unprepared for what God asked. Yet their openness, obedience, and trust became the true preparation to welcome Christ into the world.
“Mary and Joseph did not prepare with plans, possessions, or certainty,” he said. “They prepared by listening to God, trusting his word, and acting on it immediately. That is the preparation of faith.”
Cardinal Tagle challenged the faithful, especially migrant workers facing uncertainty, to reflect on how they prepare for Christmas and for life. He cautioned against reducing preparation to material concerns such as gifts, travel, or celebrations, urging a return to the essentials of faith.
“When you are asked, ‘Are you ready for Christmas?’ do not think first of shopping or parties,” he said. “Ask instead: Am I listening to the Word of God? Am I open to his will? Am I ready to act, even when his plan is different from mine?”
The cardinal also shared a moving story from his pastoral experience celebrating Simbang Gabi in a provincial jail. He recalled a prisoner who, despite many uncertainties, held to one enduring truth: ‘Christ loves me.’
The story resonated deeply with many in attendance, whose lives are marked by sacrifice, distance, uncertainties, and unanswered questions.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The celebration in Abu Dhabi reflected the global growth of Simbang Gabi. In recent years, the tradition has also been observed at the Vatican, with encouragement from the late Pope Francis, highlighting how a uniquely Filipino devotion has become a gift to the universal Church. Through these celebrations, Simbang Gabi continues to witness to a faith that travels, adapts, and endures wherever Filipinos may be.
As the Mass concluded, the cathedral echoed with hymns familiar to Filipino Advent celebrations, uniting the community in a shared sense of longing and hope. For many OFWs, Simbang Gabi was more than a liturgical gathering; it was a moment of spiritual renewal—a reminder that, even far from home, they journey together towards Christmas with Mary, Joseph, and the Christ they await.
