An overwhelming crowd estimated at more than 30,000 faithful converged at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai, spilling into nearby parking areas, as the Filipino community marked the second night of Simbang Gabi with one of the largest turnouts recorded this year.
The evening Mass was led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates on a pastoral visit to the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia. His presence drew Filipino Catholics from across Dubai and neighboring emirates, many arriving hours early to secure a place within the church grounds.
Simbang Gabi, a traditional nine-day novena observed by Filipinos in anticipation of Christmas, continues to hold deep religious and cultural meaning for overseas Filipino workers in the Gulf. In the UAE, the devotion is celebrated in the evening to accommodate work schedules, often resulting in large-scale gatherings that transform parish grounds into major communal prayer spaces.
Cardinal Tagle’s visit has brought heightened attention to this year’s Simbang Gabi celebrations, following reports of more than 20,000 worshippers attending the opening night in Dubai. The second evening saw an even larger turnout, underscoring the strong attachment of the Filipino community to the Advent tradition despite living far from home.
According to the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, Cardinal Tagle is visiting the Vicariate from December 16 to 18, 2025. In addition to presiding over Simbang Gabi liturgies, he is scheduled to lead the Simbang Gabi Mass in Abu Dhabi on December 17 at 8 p.m., extending the celebration to Filipino Catholics in the capital.
During his stay, Cardinal Tagle is also holding meetings with Bishop Paolo Martinelli, OFM Cap, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, along with members of the Vicariate’s leadership and pastoral teams, to gain a deeper understanding of the realities and pastoral needs of the Catholic Church in the region.
