Simbang Gabi Masses celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena in West Dundee

The novena of daily Masses called Simbang Gabi began in the Diocese of Rockford the evening of Dec. 15 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee.

Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from St. Mary of Huntley Council 11666 and the El Cardunal Assembly 2381 provided an Honor Guard for Bishop David J. Malloy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockford.

Bishop David J. Malloy celebrated the Mass for Filipino Catholics and others from around and beyond the diocese. In his homily, he spoke of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese sisters from the Philippines who were serving in Pakistan while he was there, and what he learned about Filipinos in general from them.

He mentioned the deep and profound sense of being Filipino and pride of heritage and culture, and that Filipinos find each other wherever they are and come together in community.

Simbang Gabi (“Masses of the Night”) is a novena of Marian Votive Masses that are celebrated on nine days immediately preceding the Liturgy of the Nativity on Dec. 25. This Philippine Christmas tradition has roots similar to the Posadas of Mexico, when both countries were colonies of Spain. This is a multicultural celebration that is shared with the whole archdiocesan community.

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with nearly 1.8 million members in more than 14,000 local councils. Last year, Knights donated 72 million volunteer hours and $151 million in charitable and benevolent causes, sponsoring projects to benefit their church, councils, communities, families and youth.

The St. Mary of Huntley Knights of Columbus Council 11666 meets at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at old St. Mary Church on Woodstock Street in Huntley. For details, visit huntleyknights.org.