Cardinal Luis Tagle is the first Filipino who will preside over the Simbang Gabi on December 20 at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Tagle is the first Filipino cardinal to celebrate the mass in the ancient city.
Only a limited number of attendees will be allowed to join the mass due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a report on ABS-CBN News, Sentro Pilipino Chaplaincy priest, Fr. Ricky Gente said the Pope earlier agreed to hold Simbang Gabi in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City but due to safety protocols, only 168 people would be allowed and a maximum of 3 priests to celebrate the mass.
Simbang Gabi was conducted at St. Peter’s Basilica in the last four years.
Some devotees say they are frustrated with the limited number of attendees.
“Pero nandoon siyempre yung kita mo sa kanila yung talagang parang bigo, nadi-disappointed no? Dahil gusto rin naman nilang makita kahit hinde nga si Pope at si Cardinal naman yung magmimisa. Siyempre gusto rin nilang maka-attend sa mass,” Sally Manila, member of the pastoral council of worship commission of the Chaplaincy, said.
Last year, around 7,500 people from different parts of Italy and Europe attended Simbang Gabi in the Vatican. (TDT)
