Archbishop Uy marks start of Misa de Gallo in Tabogon

Local

BEFORE sunrise on Tuesday, Dec. 16, church bells rang out that signalled the syart of Misa de Gallo.

Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy marked the start of the nine-day dawn masses in San Isidro Labrador Parish in Tabogon, a town still recovering from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30.

His decision to celebrate the opening Mass in an earthquake-hit community underscored the Church’s solidarity with residents who continue to rebuild their lives.

During his homily, Uy reminded the faithful that God looks beyond outward acts and sees what is held in the heart, urging them to make every action an offering grounded in sacrifice and love.

“Ang tanan natong buhaton, diha sa simbahan, diha sa katilingban, kinahanglan ubanan gyod nato og sakripisyo ug gugma. Without sacrifice, one cannot fully love and worship the Lord,” he said.

After the Mass, the archbishop led the planting of fruit-bearing trees within the parish grounds, joined by parish priest Fr. Marlito Binondo and parishioners, linking care for creation with the season’s call to renewal.

Compassion also took concrete form through Cebu Caritas Inc., which distributed 10 e-bikes to parish beneficiaries to provide mobility and help support livelihoods.

Uy is set to preside over the second day of Misa de Gallo on Dec. 17 at St. Peter Parish in Bantayan.

The Cebu archbishop is also scheduled to complete all nine days of the dawn Masses by celebrating Misa de Gallo in various parishes across northern Cebu, bringing the Advent tradition closer to communities outside the urban center.

In Cebu City, the faithful likewise gathered before dawn at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu Pilgrim Center for the opening of the Misa de Aguinaldo, the local name for the same nine-day series of dawn Masses observed from December 16 to 24.

The first Mass at the basilica was presided over by Rector Rev. Fr. Andres D. Rivera, OSA, together with Augustinian friars and visiting priests.

Rooted in the Spanish colonial period, the Misa de Aguinaldo serves as the Church’s spiritual countdown to Christmas, honoring the journey of Mary and Joseph toward Bethlehem and preparing the faithful for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Through the proclamation of the Word of God and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the tradition invites reflection on God’s promise of salvation and calls the faithful to conversion, perseverance, and renewed devotion.(MyTVCebu)