Tagaytay City—Across nine blessed evenings, the SVD Laudato Si’ Farm celebrated Simbang Gabi at the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor, from December 15 to December 23, 2023.
Each Holy Mass, each conducted at the Chapel at 5:30 PM, was presided over by a priest from the SVD Tagaytay Community and attended by sponsors and the general public. At the end of each Mass, simple snacks were served for attendees.
The SVD Farm’s Simbang Gabi for the year began on December 15, 2023, with Rev. Fr. Samuel "Sam" Naceno-Agcaracar, SVD, Executive Director of the SVD Farm and Rector of the SVD Tagaytay Community, leading the faithful in prayer. The Our Lady of Sorrows Choir from Laguna graced the occasion with their harmonious voices.
The following evening, on December 16, 2023, Rev. Fr. Ricardo “Jhon” Crisostomo, Jr., SVD, General Manager of the SVD Farm, presided over the Holy Mass. Until December 19, 2023, Fr. Sam and Fr. Jhon alternated as presider. On December 20, 2023, Rev. Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD, professor at the Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay (DWST) and the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS) became presider.
From December 16 to 20, 2023, the SVD Tagaytay Choir, led by Mr. Jhom De Paz, accompanied the celebrations of the Holy Mass.
On December 21, 2023, Fr. Jhon presided over the Holy Mass, with the celebration accompanied by the choral performance of the combined SVD Farm and SVD Tagaytay Choir, composed of employees and volunteers from the SVD Farm and of seminarians from the SVD Tagaytay Community. The choir was Fr. Sam with Fr. Sam on Piano
On December 22, 2023, Fr. Sam returned to preside over the Holy Mass. The celebration was accompanied by the Polycarp Youth Choir of Cabuyao, Laguna. The Responsorial Psalm was sung by the Gascon Family. Finally, at the end of the Mass, Fr. Sam himself performed a song with the choir in gratitude.
The SVD Farm’s Simbang Gabi reached its culmination on December 23, 2023, with the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Jhon and accompanied by the Holy Infant Jesus Chorale from Villamor, Pasay City.
The nine-evening celebration of Simbang Gabi at the SVD Farm showcased the power of unity and spirituality. As the echoes of hymns and prayers fade away, the lasting spirit of togetherness and faith persists, promising a year ahead filled with blessings and goodwill.
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In his homily during the first night of the SVD Farm's Simbang Gabi last December 15, 2023, Fr. Sam delivered a powerful message centered around the theme of avoiding comparison and embracing the love that defines the Christmas season.
Fr. Sam began by referencing the timeless Desiderata, a classic poem written by Max Ehrman in 1921. He advised against comparing oneself with others, highlighting the negative impact it can have on one's spirit. Drawing parallels with contemporary behaviors, Fr. Sam touched on the prevalence of comparisons, especially driven by social media, where individuals often measure their worth based on likes, shares, and greetings.
"Unfortunately, ang human nature natin, mahilig tumingin sa iba and look at ourselves," Fr. Sam noted, emphasizing the human tendency to compare and contrast, leading to feelings of bitterness and discontent.
"Even in our understanding of success in our ordinary lives, we compare the success of one sibling with the other, our success as a family with the success of our neighbor. Because of this, oftentimes, we become bitter. We are never happy and we don't feel sense of contentment," said Fr. Sam.
He then connected this human inclination to the Gospel, wherein Jesus compared Himself to John the Baptist. Fr. Sam interpreted Jesus's comparison as "noble" instead of "a bitter sentiment," shedding light on His mission to witness to the truth of a loving God. He urged the attendees to reflect on their own lives, challenging them to ask, "Is my 2023 better than 2022? Is my year today better than my years in the past?"
The homily delved into the broader context of Christmas, emphasizing the universal love of God. Fr. Sam invoked the image presented in the first reading, where God's love "transcends borders."
"God was concerned with the welfare not only of the Israelites but also of the foreigners and the strangers. The prophet Isaiah gives us an image of God whose love transcends borders. Walang Filipino, walang Indonesyano, walang Ilocano, walang Boholano, walang Batangueño, walang Caviteño. ... The meaning of Christmas is His incarnation. He became one of us, and so it's on us to transcend the things that divide us," Fr. Sam explained, encouraging unity and understanding.
Transitioning to the tradition of Simbang Gabi, Fr. Sam discussed its historical roots and the adjustments made for an industrialized society. "Ginawa nang gabi imbes na madaling-araw ang Misa de Gallo kasi hindi na natin kayang gumising ng maaga. Our world has become industrialized. We don't live anymore in an agricultural culture anymore, and so we adjusted. ... Gayunpaman, hahamunin ko kayo na kumpletuhin itong nine evenings na ito," said Fr. Sam, challenging the faithful to deepen their faith as they prepare for a more profound Christmas season.
In his conclusion, Fr. Sam prompted the congregation to reflect on their worthiness of God's love and to embrace the Christmas spirit wholeheartedly. "Christmas is about loving God who is always telling us, ‘I love you, I am with you no matter what’,” he concluded.
The homily left a lasting impact on the worshippers, encouraging them to make Simbang Gabi 2023 a meaningful, joyful, and holy experience, reinforcing the essence of love, unity, and faith during the Christmas season.
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Simbang Gabi (or Misa de Gallo) is a cherished Filipino tradition, involving a nine-day series of evening masses in anticipation of Christmas. It is a profound spiritual journey marking the Advent season, where the faithful gather before dawn to offer prayers and attend Holy Mass, fostering a sense of unity and devotion within communities.
At the SVD Farm, this tradition holds deep significance, having been a part of their yearly calendar since the farm's inaugural year of operations in 2021. Through Simbang Gabi, the SVD Farm not only celebrates the birth of Christ but also fosters a tradition that unites people in faith, fostering a sense of belonging and spirituality among its attendees.
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.