Merry Christmas from the Xaverian Missionaries, USA Province

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The Murder of An African Sister

The wave of assassinations that claimed thousands of victims currently in eastern DR Congo spares nobody. All segments of the population are affected in dramatic ways.

A recent case, the subject of this dispatch, is what happened in the Archdiocese of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the Xaverian Missionaries work. The scene of a heinous double murder occurred in the space of 48 hours. On the night of Saturday, December 6, Father Daniel Cizimya Nakagami was shot dead in his rectory in Kabare. The next day, Monday, December 7, 2009, it was the turn of the Trappist nun SISTER DENISE KAHAMBU MUHAYIRWA, at the Monastery of Our Lady of Clear-God Murhesa. Sister Denise Kahambu was preparing to celebrate her birthday of 45 years.

After the prayer of Compline and the Salve Regina on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Tuesday, December 8, Sister Denise had gone to the dining room of the Monastery of Hospitality to ensure that visitors from Goma had everything they needed for the night. While she went to the visitors, the gunmen arrived at the gate with a threatening look.

Seeing the danger ahead, Sister Denise wanted to withdraw in haste to warn her sisters. Without saying a word, without asking, these thugs chased the sister. Then they shot her in her left thigh. She fell face down on the ground and died within minutes as she bled to death. The other nuns, out of fear following the shots fired, could not get there in time to rescue Sister Denise.

Please pray for her, Fr. Daniel and all of the Church of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Preparation for Christmas in the Philippines: Simbang Gabi

With the Christmas holidays quickly approaching, preparation is richly different in many cultures all over the world. In the Philippines, where the Xaverian Missionaries have worked since 1989, the octave of Christmas is called Simbang Gabi in Tagalog.

"Simbang Gabi" a Filipino Christmas tradition, is a series of nine (9) dawn masses, the mass starts as early as 4:00 a.m or even earlier. It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December, which is the midnight mass of Christmas.

This tradition was introduced by the Spanish friars in the 15th century to allow the farmers to attend mass before going to the fields early in the morning. Simbang Gabi is also known by its popular Spanish name as the Misa de Gallo, or ``mass of the rooster.''

In the olden days, the church bells start ringing as early as three o' clock waking people up so they can get ready for the four o'clock dawn mass. The Roman Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithfuls to the Simbang Gabi mass which is lush with celebration. The liturgical color is white and even the "Gloria" is sung in full vigor, as Christmas if already arrived.

Today, these masses are still done in the early morning hours, although that is changing. In our parish in the Philippines we started aby 3 am. This celebration is unique in the world. It is also celebrated with Filipino communities across the US as a way to share the richness of Filipino culture. Here is one example in the Diocese of Arlington. Here is another example in the Diocese of San Jose.

Along with a special mass in the early hours of the morning, there is the aromas of native Christmas delicacies outside tempt churchgoers. Piping hot bibingka (rice cake), puto bumbong (a purple sticky rice delicacy steamed in wooden tubes), salabat (ginger tea) and thick cocoa are among the traditional breakfast treats for sleep-deprived devotees. This time is also a unique opportunity for young people to find new love in massive crowds that celebrate the Eucharist.

Check out a favorite Christmas song of mine with the translation below the video:

Pasko na sinta ko

Hanap-hanap kita

Bakit ka nagtampo

Iniwan ako

It’s Christmas, my love

I’m longing for you

What did I do

that made you leave me

Kung mawawala ka

Sa piling ko sinta

Paano ang Pasko

Inulila mo

If you’ll be gone

From my side, my love

What will happen to my Christmas

That you made so lonely

Refrain:

Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan

At pagtitinginang tunay

Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap

Ang ating suyuan at galak

Our promises have gone to waste, my love

And our love that was so true

Do you wish to forget everything

All our affection and joys

Kung mawawala ka

Sa piling ko sinta

Paao ang Paskong

Alay ko sa iyo.

If you’ll be gone

From my side, my love

What will happen to my Christmas

That I offer to you