DUBAI: With a few days left before Christmas, tens of thousands of Filipinos across the UAE head to the church and hear the regular Evening or Dawn Masses as part of celebrations highlighting the birth of Jesus Christ – the central figure in the Catholic faith.
In Dubai, organizers led by Filcom, said there are between 30,000 and 35,000 Filipinos gravitating to St. Mary’s Church in Oud Metha each night from Dec. 15, the start of Simbang Gabi, with the number gradually increasing as the activity culminates on the 24th, Christmas Eve.
There is also a 4am-5am Mass attended by approximately 5,000 Filipinos and which was scheduled as such to reduce the big crowd attending the evening Mass, a crowd so humongous that people can be seen atop the foot bridge across the street from the church.
Same figures were given by the St. Joseph Cathedral in Al Mushrif and Mary the Mother of Jesus Mosque in Abu Dhabi city proper as well as in St. Paul’s Church in the Mussafah industrial area at the outskirts of the emirate.
Tolerance
Part of the celebrations of Christmas is the tolerance enjoyed by the expatriate community in the UAE.
“The most visible sign of tolerance that we could ever have is the places of worship that the host country has given us,” Fr. Chito Bartolo, OFM, CAP, who holds the title as “spiritual director” of the Filipino community in Dubai, told The Filipino Times.
“We have solemn places to express our faith and celebrate life with our community, which always propelled our hopes and aspirations to live happily in this blessed land,” he added.
He said the “benevolent hearts of the leaders and the citizens of U.A.E. are always remembered and prayed for in our prayers as our way of thanking them through the blessings of God the Almighty.”
Indeed, said Fr. Chito, as he is fondly referred to in the Filipino community, nowhere is the Nativity, where Mary and Joseph went searching a place to stay for her to give birth to Christ, is more explicit than in the UAE, which, in a manner of saying, opened its doors to them.
“Christmas plays a vital role in the Christian faith for it is a season of celebrating the graces and blessings of God. The joyful atmosphere of Christmas in (Catholic churches across the UAE) is the best image where tolerance and peace meet,” said Fr. Chito.
Thankful
Fr. Chito as well enjoined the community to hear Mass and give thanks to God for his help through the year.
“Sama-sama tayong magpasalamat sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng banal na Misa sa mga biyaya at patnubay niya sa nagdaang taon,” he said. (Let us all together thank God through the Holy Mass for his graces and guidance this year.)
“Malayo man tayo sa ating bayang sinilangan at sa ating pamilya ay tayo paring sama-samang manalangin sa panginoon na ating inaasahan at kinakapitan para matupad natin ang ating mithiing magandang kinabukasan,” Fr. Chito added. (Despite our distance from our country and loved ones, let us pray to God whom we hold on to for future that we aspire to have.)
‘Panuluyan’
One of the highlights of this year’s Simbang Gabi is the “Panunuluyan,” a re-enactment of the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem. The pageant-like play features a couple as Joseph and Mary, going from house to house and looking for a place to stay for the night.
This will be held on Dec. 21 and since it’s a Friday it can start early, said Emolyn “Tita Ems” Bucist, FilCom Coordinator of St. Mary’s Church.
“We also have some games and contest for the waiting crowd before the mass,” she said.
Bishop Paul Hinder will celebrate the Mass on Dec. 21. “Our Papal Nuncio H.E. Msgr. Francisco Montecillo Padilla, who is from Cebu will be the celebrant on the 20th,” said Bucist.
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2019 as the “Year of Tolerance,” highlighting the UAE as a global capital for tolerance through its various legislative and policy-oriented goals to enhance the role of the country in instilling the values of co-existence and peace in local, regional and international communities.
