Schedule for Christmas novena - Simbang Gabi

Friday, Nov. 24, 2023

The Diocese of Salt Lake City has celebrated two traditional Christmas novenas for many years: the Filipino Simbang Gabi and the Mexican Las Posadas. Both bring the community together for prayers in anticipation of the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Las Posadas (Spanish for the inns) is celebrated each day from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 and reenacts the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Traditional songs have people acting as Mary and Joseph asking for shelter outside the door, while inside the “innkeeper” refuses until at last the couple is admitted. Afterward, Mass is celebrated, and a party with a piñata for the children follows.

Simbang Gabi is a series of nine Masses traditionally celebrated at dawn each day from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23, but because of the weather in Utah they are held here in the evening. Different parishes host the Mass, which often is followed by a meal of traditional Filipino food.

For additional information, contact the parishes.

The schedule for the Simbang Gabi follows. 

St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1058 West 400 South, SLC

 The Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple, SLC

St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5 South 100 West, Heber

St. Olaf Catholic Church, 276 East 170 South, Bountiful

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 257 North 700 West, SLC

St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville

St. Peter Catholic Church, 634 Caveman Blvd. American Fork

 St. Joseph Catholic Church, 514 24th St., Ogden

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1745 East 9800 South, Sandy

Monday, Dec. 25, 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

670 South 1100 East, SLC