Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Christmas tradition. It is a series of 9 dawn Masses (a novena) that start as early as 4:00am. It begins on Dec 16 and ends at midnight on the 24th, the midnight Mass of Christmas. Introduced by Spanish friars, it was celebrated for the fisherman at the break of day (when the rooster crows and wakes them to go fishing) and to allow the farmers to hear Mass before going to the fields early in the morning. The last Mass of this novena is truly the “Mass of the Rooster” (Misa de Gallo), and a star-shaped lantern reminds the assembly of the star that led the Magi to the Blessed Infant. A processional with a lantern and feasting are part of Simbang Gabi devotional celebrations. Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so, it is also the spiritual preparation for Christmas, in commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord, as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn Masses, wishes will be granted. Youth Mass will be celebrated at 5:00pm