Referred to also as “night worship,” the custom includes nine nightly Masses before Christmas to help the faithful to prepare themselves spiritually for the joyous, yet solemn, celebration of the birth of our Lord. The novena of Masses signifies the nine months Jesus was in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The last day of Simbang Gabi, traditionally Christmas Eve, is called “Misa de Gallo” – Spanish for “Rooster’s Mass” – during which churches throughout the country ring bells between 3 and 5:30 a.m. The dedication and discipline required to rise early and still fulfill daily duties is one of the sacrifices embraced by Simbang Gabi observers.

In each of the four counties of the Diocese, an organizing committee is formed to ensure that all the faithful are given an opportunity to pray this novena. All are welcome to attend and participate in our county’s Simbang Gabi. Participants will pray the Rosary, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered before each Mass. 

The following is a schedule of Simbang Gabi dates, times, and venues in Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth counties. More counties and venues will be added to the schedule as they become available.  Host parishes ask that those in attendance observe the health and safety protocols that are in place for COVID-19.

Simbang Gabi Celebrations

Burlington County

Saturday, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson | Celebrant: Father Daniel Kirk

Sunday, Dec. 5 | 5 p.m. Mass | St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson | Celebrant: Father Peter James Alindogan

Monday, Dec. 6 | 7 p.m. Mass | Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Moorestown | Celebrant: Father Christopher Picollo

Tuesday, Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson | Celebrant: Father Daniel Kirk

Wednesday, Dec. 8 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson | Celebrant: Father Daniel Kirk

Thursday, Dec. 9 | 7 p.m. Mass | Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Moorestown | Celebrant: Father Christopher Picollo

Friday, Dec. 10 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Mary of the Lakes Church, Medford | Celebrant: Father Roy Ballacillo

Saturday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Mass | St. Joan of Arc Church, Marlton | Celebrant: Father John Michael Patilla

Sunday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Mass | St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson | Celebrant: Father Daniel Kirk

Mercer County

Wednesday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton

Thursday, Dec. 16 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Vincent de Paul Church, Yardville

Friday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. Mass | Incarnation Church (Incarnation-St. James Parish), Ewing

Saturday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Raphael Church (St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton

Sunday, Dec. 19 | 4 p.m. Mass | St. Anthony of Padua Church, Hightstown

Monday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. David the King Church, Princeton Junction

Tuesday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. Mass | Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Ewing

Wednesday, Dec. 22 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Paul Church, Princeton

Thursday, Dec. 23 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville

Monmouth County

Rosary and Confessions will start 30 minutes before Masses

Monday, Dec. 13 | 6 p.m. Mass | St. Veronica Church, Howell | Celebrant: Father Peter James Alindogan • Our Lady of Guadalupe Apostolate & Music Ministry

Tuesday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Catherine Church, Farmingdale | Celebrant: Father Angelito Anarcon • Holy Innocents’ Filipino Choir

Wednesday, Dec. 15 | 7 p.m. Mass | Holy Innocents Church, Neptune | Celebrant: Father Gregg Abadilla • Holy Innocents’ Filipino Choir

Thursday, Dec. 16 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Benedict Church, Holmdel | Celebrant: Father Al Gamalo • BLD-Trenton Choir

Friday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Jerome Church, West Long Branch | Celebrant: Father Sheldon Amasa • Holy Innocents’ Filipino Choir

Saturday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Ann Church, Keansburg | Celebrant: Father Richard Vila • Our Lady of Guadalupe Apostolate & Music Ministry

Sunday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Joseph Church (Our Lady of Fatima Parish), Keyport | Celebrant: Father Vicente Magdaraog • Young Servants of the Lord Choir

Monday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Dorothea Church, Eatontown | Celebrant: Father Daison Areepparampil • Young Servants of the Lord Choir

Tuesday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m. Mass | St. Clement Church, Matawan | Celebrant: Father Mark Nillo • Holy Innocents’ Filipino Choir

Ocean County

Saturday, Dec. 11 | Rosary 6 p.m. • Mass 6:30 p.m. | St. Monica Church, Jackson | Celebrant: Father Alex Enriquez

Sunday, Dec. 12 | Rosary 6 p.m. • Mass 6:30 p.m. | St. John Church, Lakehurst | Celebrant: Father Gregg Abadilla

Monday, Dec. 13 | Rosary 6 p.m. • Mass 6:30 p.m. | Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Seaside Heights | Celebrant: Father Daison Areepparampil

Tuesday, Dec. 14 | Rosary 6 p.m. • Mass 6:30 p.m. | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting | Celebrant: Divine Word Father Jun Pateno

Wednesday, Dec. 15 | Rosary 6 p.m. • Mass 6:30 p.m. | St. Justin the Martyr Church, Toms River | Celebrant: Father Roberto Ignacio

Thursday, Dec. 16 | Rosary 5:30 p.m. • Mass 6 p.m. | St. Joseph Church, Toms River | Celebrant: Father G. Scott Shaffer

Friday, Dec. 17 | Rosary 6 p.m. • Mass 6:30 p.m. | St. Mary Church, Barnegat | Celebrant: Father Nestor Chavenia

Saturday, Dec. 18 | Rosary 7 p.m. • Mass 7:30 p.m. | St. Luke Church, Toms River | Celebrant: Father Robert Grodnicki

Sunday, Dec. 19 | Rosary 4 p.m. • Mass 4:30 p.m. | St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River | Celebrant: Father Peter James Alindogan