More than 20,000 churchgoers gathered in Dubai for the opening night of Simbang Gabi, underscoring the strong participation of the Filipino Catholic community in the United Arab Emirates for the traditional pre-Christmas devotion.
The first Simbang Gabi Mass drew thousands of Filipino faithful from across Dubai and nearby emirates, filling church grounds as overseas Filipino workers and their families came together for prayer at the start of the nine-day tradition. Church organizers noted that the turnout was among the largest recorded for an opening Simbang Gabi celebration in the emirate.
Simbang Gabi, a long-standing Filipino Catholic tradition observed in the days leading up to Christmas, continues to hold deep religious and cultural significance for Filipinos living abroad. In the UAE, the devotion is typically celebrated in the evening to accommodate work schedules, enabling wider participation from the migrant community.
The Simbang Gabi celebrations continue with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle scheduled to preside over the second night of Simbang Gabi in Dubai on December 16 at 8 p.m. Cardinal Tagle serves as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches.
According to the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, Cardinal Tagle is visiting the Vicariate from December 16 to 18, 2025. As part of his visit, he is also set to preside over the Simbang Gabi Mass in Abu Dhabi on December 17 at 8 p.m., extending the celebration to the Filipino Catholic community in the UAE capital.
Beyond the liturgical celebrations, Cardinal Tagle will meet with Bishop Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, along with members of the Vicariate’s pastoral team. These meetings aim to provide the Cardinal with a deeper understanding of the pastoral realities and challenges faced by the Catholic Church in the region, which serves a largely migrant population.
