Thousands of Filipino OFWs gather for Simbang Gabi at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi

Almost 18,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) filled St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  on December 17, 2025as the Filipino Catholic community celebrated the Third Simbang Gabi Mass, continuing a cherished Advent tradition far from home.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches.

Simbang Gabi, literally “night Mass”, is a nine-day novena of dawn or evening Masses celebrated from December 16 to 24 in the Philippines. Rooted in Filipino Catholic piety, the tradition prepares the faithful for the birth of Christ through perseverance in prayer, sacrifice, and communal worship. Over the years, as millions of Filipinos have migrated for work, Simbang Gabi has journeyed with them, taking root in parishes and chaplaincies across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

In Abu Dhabi, the celebration stands as a visible sign of faith lived in diaspora. Despite demanding work schedules, long distances, and the realities of migrant life, Filipino Catholics continue to gather in large numbers, transforming cathedrals and chapels into spaces of homecoming and hope during Advent.

During his homily, Cardinal Tagle reflected on the deeper meaning of Simbang Gabi, reminding the faithful that it is not merely a cultural custom but a spiritual journey patterned after the life of the Holy Family. He explained that the nine days of Simbang Gabi echo the nine months during which Mary carried Jesus in her womb, a symbol of patiently waiting and faithful accompaniment.

“Simbang Gabi is not just a ritual,” Cardinal Tagle 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, the Cardinal highlighted how both Mary and Joseph were, in many ways, unprepared for what God asked of them. Yet, he noted, their openness, obedience, and trust became the true preparation for welcoming 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 examine how they prepare for Christmas and for life itself. He cautioned against reducing preparation to material concerns such as gifts, travel, or celebrations, and instead urged 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, recalling a prisoner who told him that amid many uncertainties, one truth remained firm, ‘Christ loves me.’ The story resonated deeply with many OFWs in attendance, whose lives are likewise marked by sacrifice, distance, uncertainties, and unanswered questions.

The celebration in Abu Dhabi reflects the growing global expression of Simbang Gabi. In recent years, the tradition has also been observed at the Vatican, with encouragement from Pope Francis, underscoring 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 remains steadfast 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, the 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 toward Christmas with Mary, Joseph, and the Christ they await.