Cool: Philipino American Catholics

commence festivities:

Sure, we might still be a week out from the annual "coming out" party par excellence of American Catholicism's growing present and dominant future. But tonight -- not to be outdone -- another of the faith's rising tides on these shores is yet again getting to show its colors on the Stateside church's most prominent stage.

Starting with a mile-long procession from the 1011 Chancery, for the fourth year running New York's Filipino community kicks off the islands' time-honored Simbang Gabi -- the novena of pre-dawn Masses leading up to Christmas Eve -- with an evening Eucharist in Tagalog in the eminent confines of St Patrick's Cathedral...

An inculturated form of the venerable Rorate caeli Advent Mass brought by the Spanish colonists some five centuries back, though the celebration of what's also called the "Misa de Aguinaldo" ("Mass of the Gift") is normally still observed between 4 and 5am in the Philippines itself -- where churches (or other, bigger venues) invariably fill to overflowing for the cherished practice -- the daily liturgies in the States are often, if not usually, transferred to the evening hours in order to accommodate the faithful's work schedules.

Regardless of its time, though, the tradition isn't just liturgical -- a potluck breakfast or supper customarily follows the Mass. And above all, like all the best of things Catholic, organizers invariably spare no degree of energy to spread the word that everyone -- everyone -- is welcome.

Even if Asians as a whole comprise roughly 4 per cent of the 68 million-member Stateside church, the Filipino diaspora -- which, together with the Vietnamese, dominates the demographic at-large -- shows its ecclesial strength in more "deep-cut" numbers.

Most years, the nation's priestly ordinands of Filipino birth or roots come close to forming 4% of the country-wide class all on their own. Add in the Vietnamese -- another group known for their fierce devotion, one often tested and strengthened by trials -- and on the whole, the Asian community is contributing twice its size to the future of the nation's clergy.

Lest anyone needed it, further proof that this ain't your father's American Catholicism... and that, just like its Lord, every December powerfully recalls a new birth of hope -- and, indeed, redemption -- for the faith on these shores...