The Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has encouraged Catholics to attend dawn masses. His eminence issued the guide to his priest in view of the start of the observance of the 9 days simbang gabi on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Other masses celebrated during the 9 days before Christmas he said are celebrated as Masses of the Advent Season and should follow the norms of liturgy of the Advent Season. Tagle said the Misa de Aguinaldo at other times morning, midday or late afternoon is not in keeping with the liturgical norms of the Archdiocese of Manila and is to be regarded as an abuse. He also reiterated that dawn masses should be celebrated in the parochial church adding that chapels are given permission to celebrate dawn masses only with the consent of the parish priest and in coordination with the parish. Dawn masses may not be celebrated in malls or shopping centers he said unless there is a chapel in the establishment where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with frequency and duly approved by the archdiocese.
