Mother Seton holds Misa de Gallo Mass

PALM COAST — Two months ago, a statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manilo, the first Catholic saint of Filipino descent, was installed at Mother Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast as part of the church's international prayer garden.

Filipino artist Erik Villanueva, who is also a Catholic, created the design. On the weekend before Christmas, the church continued its honoring of Filipino Catholics as they welcomed the San Lorenzo Ruiz devotees of Palm Coast to hold their traditional Misa de Gallo Mass at the church.

As part of the nine-day celebration prior to Christmas Day, known as Simbang Gabi Mass, Misa de Gallo's direct translation means "rooster's mass," which gets its name from its traditional midnight semblance but is also known to be held earlier in more recent times.

Originally introduced to those of Filipino descent by Mexican missionaries centuries ago, the tradition continues hundreds of years later, with the belief of the nine-day celebration that culminates with Misa de Gallo believed to make a wish come true to faithful believers.

For club president Ofelia Miller, landing the church as the venue for the Mass was something that she felt came naturally, especially since the foundation of the statue of San Lorenzo two months ago.

"This is our first year having the Mass, so we don't have any facilities at this time," Miller said. "After the building of the statue, it gave us an opportunity to gain a good rapport with them, and they allowed us to use the church for the Mass."

The typical Misa de Gallo service features music and worship and traditionally concludes with Filipino food, so club members concluded the Dec. 22 service with a potluck dinner in the church's social hall. Led by the Rev. Father Jose Saltarin and the Rev. Tom Alayu, the service included a variety of musical offerings.

"It's beautiful to see a community work together, but in order for that to happen, it requires every member of the community to understand that," Saltarin said.

While the holding of the Mass was a milestone of sorts for the group, which currently has more than 200 members, Miller explained that she and fellow group members are also looking to the future. They would eventually like to have a place of their own and are working toward creating a shrine to San Lorenzo just north of Flagler County, in St. Augusutine.

"It's a long project, so we are hoping in two years' time," she said.

Group members make their way into Mother Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast with traditional decor for a special Mass on Dec. 22.

Sigred and Jose Adriano depict Mary and Joseph during the celebration of Misa de Gallo.