# Midnight Mass

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First liturgy of Christmastide that is celebrated on the night of Christmas Eve

This article is about the Christmas liturgy. For the Easter liturgy, see [Easter Vigil](/source/Easter_Vigil). For the New Year's Eve liturgy, see [Watchnight service](/source/Watchnight_service). For the miniseries of the same name, see [Midnight Mass (miniseries)](/source/Midnight_Mass_(miniseries)). For other uses, see [Midnight Mass (disambiguation)](/source/Midnight_Mass_(disambiguation)).

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Midnight Mass being celebrated at [St. Matthew's Evangelical-Lutheran Church](/source/St._Matthew's_Church%2C_Stockholm) in Stockholm, Sweden

Midnight Mass at [St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church](/source/St._Sebastian_Roman_Catholic_Church_(Queens)), [New York City](/source/New_York_City)

In many [Western Christian](/source/Western_Christian) traditions, **Midnight Mass** is the first [liturgy](/source/Christian_liturgy) of [Christmastide](/source/Christmastide) that is celebrated on the night of [Christmas Eve](/source/Christmas_Eve), traditionally beginning at [midnight](/source/Midnight) when Christmas Eve gives way to [Christmas Day](/source/Christmas_Day). This popular Christmas custom is a jubilant celebration of the [Mass](/source/Mass_(liturgy)) or [service of worship](/source/Church_service) in honour of the [Nativity of Jesus](/source/Nativity_of_Jesus); even many of those [Christian denominations](/source/Christian_denomination) that do not regularly employ the word *Mass* uniquely use the term "Midnight Mass" for their Christmas Eve liturgy as it includes the celebration of [Holy Communion](/source/Holy_Communion).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## History

The tradition of midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was first chronicled by [Egeria](/source/Egeria_(pilgrim)), a [Galician](/source/Galicia_(Spain)) woman who went on a pilgrimage to the [Holy Land](/source/Holy_Land) around 381. She witnessed how the [early Catholics](/source/Early_centers_of_Christianity) of [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem) honored the Christmas mystery with a midnight vigil at [Bethlehem](/source/Bethlehem).[1] This was followed by a torchlight procession to Jerusalem, arriving at the [Church of the Resurrection](/source/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre) at dawn. The tradition reached the Western world in 430 under [Pope Sixtus III](/source/Pope_Sixtus_III) in the [Basilica of St Mary Major](/source/Basilica_of_St_Mary_Major).[2] He instituted the practice of a midnight Mass after the cockcrow in the grotto-like oratory of the famed [Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore](/source/Basilica_di_Santa_Maria_Maggiore). There are discrepancies, however, as to the exact time of the cockcrow due to the fact that the ancient Romans set it at the start of the day.

By the twelfth century, the practice of midnight Mass had become more widespread as all priests had been granted the faculty of celebrating three Masses on Christmas Day (previously reserved to the Pope), provided the three different propers were celebrated at their appropriate times of midnight, dawn and day.[2]

In 1587, the head priest of the Church of San Agustin de [Acolman](/source/Acolman) in Mexico, Diego de Soria, petitioned [Pope Sixtus V](/source/Pope_Sixtus_V) to allow the Mass to be held outdoors because the church could not accommodate the large number of attendees at the evening celebration.[3]

## Traditions

On Christmas Eve, the [Advent wreath](/source/Advent_wreath) is traditionally completed with the lighting of the Christ Candle in many [church services](/source/Church_service).

Midnight Mass at Church of St. Wenceslaus in [Mikulov](/source/Mikulov), [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic)

### Roman Catholicism

Cardinal [Jose Advincula](/source/Jose_Advincula) enthrones the [Infant Jesus](/source/Christ_Child) at the [Manila Cathedral](/source/Manila_Cathedral) [sanctuary](/source/Sanctuary) at the beginning of a Roman Catholic midnight Mass.

The [Roman liturgy](/source/Roman_liturgy) for the Midnight Mass starts with an overview of salvation history, the [Proclamation of the Birth of Christ](/source/Proclamation_of_the_Birth_of_Christ).

[Roman Catholics](/source/Roman_Catholics) have traditionally celebrated Midnight Mass with church services beginning at midnight, although the Mass itself is officially called **Missa in nocte** (*Ad Missam in nocte*)[4] or **Mass during the Night** in English[5] and need not start at midnight, as has been the case in the Vatican since 2009, first at 10:00 pm,[6] then subsequently earlier in the evening.

*[In Splendoribus Sanctorum](/source/In_Splendoribus_Sanctorum)* is used for the Communion chant during traditional Catholic midnight mass.

### Lutheranism

[Lutherans](/source/Lutheran) often observe Midnight Mass in addition to Christmas [Vespers](/source/Vespers_in_Lutheranism) and [Matins](/source/Matins_in_Lutheranism). In his famous work, *Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde*, Bernard Picart describes the Lutheran Midnight Mass:

In some Lutheran Countries, the People go to Church on the Night of the Nativity of our Blessed Saviour with lighted Candles, or Wax-Tapers in their Hands. The Faithful who are met together in the Church, spend the whole Night there in singing, and saying their Prayers by the Light of them. Sometimes they burn such a large Quantity of Incense, that the Smoke thereof ascends in the Form of a Whirlwind, and their Devotees may properly enough be said to be wrapt up in it.[7]

### Anglicanism

Churches of the [Anglican Communion](/source/Anglican_Communion) also traditionally celebrate Midnight Communion for Christmas at 11 or 11:30 pm.

### Methodism

[Methodist](/source/Methodist) observations vary as many hold services at 11 p.m. which involve the ringing of [church bells](/source/Church_bells) when the stroke of midnight is reached.

### Presbyterianism

The [Church of Scotland](/source/Church_of_Scotland) observes a service just before midnight which involves the singing of carols, although it does not include [Mass](/source/Mass_(liturgy)) and is called a [watchnight service](/source/Watchnight_service) (held elsewhere on New Year's Eve).

### Eastern Christian traditions

While Midnight Mass is not observed in Eastern traditions, [All-Night Vigil](/source/All-Night_Vigil) is common on Christmas Eve and involves the celebration of [Matins](/source/Matins), the [hour](/source/Liturgy_of_the_Hours) which is traditionally observed at midnight.

## Misa de Gallo

Misa de Gallo Altar decorated for a Misa de Gallo Also called Rooster's Mass Shepherd's Mass Observed by Roman Catholics Significance Advent season Begins December 16 Ends December 24 Date December 24 Related to Misa de Aguinaldo Christmas Day

***Misa de Gallo*** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language) for "Rooster's Mass", also *Misa de los Pastores*, "Shepherds' Mass;" [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_language): ***Missa do Galo***; [Catalan](/source/Catalan_language): ***Missa del gall***) is the Midnight Mass celebrated in Portugal and many former Portuguese colonies and also in Spain and many former [Spanish colonies](/source/Spanish_Empire) on [Christmas Eve](/source/Christmas_Eve) and sometimes in the days immediately preceding [Christmas](/source/Christmas). The tradition of *Misa de Gallo* is still observed today, mostly by Spanish-speaking [Roman Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) countries in [Latin America](/source/Latin_America) and in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines).

### Spain

In Spain, locals begin Christmas Eve by lighting small oil lamps in every home, then proceed to church to hear Midnight Mass.[8]

The most popular of these holy services is in the Basílica de Montserrat also known as [Santa Maria de Montserrat](/source/Santa_Maria_de_Montserrat), a Benedictine monastery built on the steep cliffs of the Montserrat mountain range. The [Escolania de Montserrat](/source/Escolania_de_Montserrat), Europe's oldest boys' choir known for their angelic voices, graces the celebration.

### Bolivia

Bolivians attend [Christmas Eve](/source/Christmas_Eve) Mass, and the celebration is followed by a sit-down meal featuring a traditional bowl of *picana del pollo*. It is a stew[9] made of chicken with peas, carrots, and potatoes.

### Philippines

Main article: [Simbang Gabi](/source/Simbang_Gabi)

*Simbang Gabi* ([Tagalog](/source/Tagalog_language) for "Night Mass"), also called *Misa de Aguinaldo* ("gift mass"), is the [Filipino](/source/Filipinos) version of the *Misa de Gallo*. It traditionally begins on December 16 and ends on December 24. In most parts of Philippines, however, the term "*Misa de Gallo*" specifically only refers to the last mass on [Christmas Eve](/source/Christmas_Eve).[10] In [Zamboangueño Chavacano](/source/Zamboangue%C3%B1o_language), the series of masses is also called *Misa de los Pastores*.[11]

*Simbang Gabi* is associated with a nine-day [novena](/source/Novena) procession, as well as a reenactment of the [search for lodgings](/source/Nativity_of_Jesus) by [Joseph](/source/Saint_Joseph) and the pregnant [Virgin Mary](/source/Virgin_Mary) known as the [Panunulúyan](/source/Panunul%C3%BAyan).[12][13]

### Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, locals celebrate Mass by singing Christmas songs, which they call *aguinaldos*. The more religious versions of these songs are called *[villancicos](/source/Villancico)* and the ones with a [Criollo](/source/Criollo_people) inspiration are called *décimas navideñas*.[14]

### Venezuela

In Venezuela, the *Misa de Gallo* is only one of a series of Masses held at dawn called *Misa de Aguinaldo*. The name comes from the Spanish word for "Christmas box". The Masses are held for nine days and culminate on Christmas Eve. The songs of the liturgy are replaced by songs of the "[gaita](/source/Gaita_zuliana)" genre [\[1\]](https://acn.com.ve/fiesta-navidad-continua-naguanagua/), which is a folk genre from the [Zulia](/source/Zulia) state, and which are heard most widely throughout the country during Christmas. The lyrics of these gaitas are liturgical and approved to be played during ceremonies.

## See also

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Midnight Mass](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Midnight_Mass)***.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Midnight mass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Midnight_mass).

- [Misa de Gallo](/source/Misa_de_Gallo), a version of the Midnight Mass in many Spanish-speaking countries

- [Pasterka](/source/Pasterka), a Midnight Mass celebrated in Poland

- [Plygain](/source/Plygain), a Welsh service of worship taking place on Christmas morning

- [Watchnight service](/source/Watchnight_service), a service of worship observed on New Year's Eve

- *[Messe de minuit pour Noël](/source/Messe_de_minuit_pour_No%C3%ABl)* H.9 by [Marc-Antoine Charpentier](/source/Marc-Antoine_Charpentier)

- [Proclamation of the Birth of Christ](/source/Proclamation_of_the_Birth_of_Christ)

- *[Rorate Coeli](/source/Rorate_Coeli)*

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["A Zenith Daily Dispatch: 3 Masses on Christmas"](http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur156.htm). *EWTN*. Retrieved 2013-06-02.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aquinasandmore.com_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aquinasandmore.com_2-1) ["The Tradition of Midnight Mass"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032902/http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/the-tradition-of-midnight-mass/article/119). Archived from [the original](http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/the-tradition-of-midnight-mass/article/119) on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2016-12-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-filipinaslibrary.org.ph_3-0)** ["Going to Mass at Christmas"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131022061014/http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/news/40-filipiniana/112-going-to-mass-at-christmas). *Filipinas Heritage Library*. Archived from [the original](http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/news/40-filipiniana/112-going-to-mass-at-christmas) on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2013-06-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Missale Romanum 2002"](https://media.musicasacra.com/books/latin_missal2002.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The Roman Missal"](http://www.ldysinger.com/@magist/1978_SCDW/2011_roman_missal/THE%20ROMAN%20MISSAL-bookmarked.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Squires, Nick (7 December 2009). ["Pope to hold Midnight Mass at 10 pm"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/6753375/Pope-to-hold-Midnight-Mass-at-10pm.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** *The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Various Nations of the Known World with Additions and Remarks Omitted by the French Author*, London: 1741, p. 511

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Spain – Christmas traditions and customs"](http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/traditions/spain.htm). *The History of Christmas*. Retrieved 2013-06-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Draper, Faith. ["Christmas in Bolivia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131022234730/http://voices.yahoo.com/christmas-bolivia-5069690.html?cat=16). Archived from [the original](http://voices.yahoo.com/christmas-bolivia-5069690.html?cat=16) on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2013-06-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mb-aguinaldo_10-0)** Lilia Borlongan - Alvarez (December 15, 2013). ["Misa de Gallo or Misa de Aguinaldo – What's the difference?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141224150417/http://www.mb.com.ph/misa-de-gallo-or-misa-de-aguinaldo-whats-the-difference/). Manila Bulletin. Archived from [the original](http://www.mb.com.ph/misa-de-gallo-or-misa-de-aguinaldo-whats-the-difference/) on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Misa de Gallo is not the dawn mass"](http://opinion.inquirer.net/43033/misa-de-gallo-is-not-the-dawn-mass). *Philippine Daily Inquirer*. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Tan_12-0)** Tan, Nigel (17 December 2016). ["PH X'mas symbols, practices trace roots to Spanish era"](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/46589-ph-christmas-symbols-spanish-roots/). *Rappler*. Retrieved 1 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Orejas_13-0)** Orejas, Tonette (14 December 2012). ["'Lubenas' is alive in Angeles City"](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/324159/lubenas-is-alive-in-angeles-city). *Philippine Daily Inquirer*. Retrieved 2 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Puerto Rican Christmas Traditions"](http://www.elboricua.com/traditions.html). *El Boricua*. Retrieved 2013-06-02.

v t e Christmas Blue Christmas Boxing Day Children's Day Christmas Eve Saint Nicholas Day Saint Stephen's Day Sol Invictus Yule In Christianity Holy Family Jesus Christ Child Mary Joseph Biblical Magi Adoration of the Magi Adoration of the Shepherds Advent Angel Gabriel Annunciation Annunciation to the shepherds Bethlehem Christmastide Epiphany Herod the Great Massacre of the Innocents flight into Egypt Nativity Fast Nativity of Jesus in art in later culture Nativity scene Neapolitan Star of Bethlehem Twelfth Night In folklore Badalisc Caganer Christkind Grýla Jack Frost Korvatunturi Kallikantzaros Legend of the Christmas Spider Mari Lwyd Miner's figure Nisse North Pole Old Man Winter Perchta Santa's workshop Tió de Nadal Turoń Wenceslaus Yule cat Gift-bringers Saint Nicholas folklore Santa Claus Befana Ded Moroz Father Christmas Grandpa Indian Joulupukki Julemanden Noel Baba Olentzero Père Noël Sinterklaas Others Companions of Saint Nicholas Belsnickel Elves Knecht Ruprecht Krampus Mrs. Claus Père Fouettard Sack Man Santa Claus' daughter Santa's reindeer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Snegurochka Zwarte Piet Traditions Advent calendar Advent candle Advent wreath Boar's Head Feast Candle arches Chalking the door Cards Carols by Candlelight Cavalcade of Magi Christingle Christmas jumper Christmas Peace Crackers Decorations Didukh Eggbert The Elf on the Shelf Feast of the Seven Fishes Flying Santa Gifts Google Santa Tracker Hampers Las Posadas Letters Lights Lord of Misrule Markets Midnight Mass Moravian star Mummers' play Nine Lessons and Carols NORAD Tracks Santa Nutcrackers dolls Ornaments Parades list Piñatas Poinsettia Pyramids Räuchermann Christmas seals Secret Santa Spanbaum Szopka Stamps Stockings Tree Twelve Days Vertep Wassailing Windows Yule goat Yule log By country Australia Bangladesh Colombia Denmark Ethiopia Finland France Germany Nazi Germany Hungary Iceland folklore Indonesia Ireland Italy Mexico New Zealand Norway Philippines Poland Romania Russia Scotland Serbia Sweden Ukraine United States American Civil War Hawaii New Mexico Music Carols list Operas Hit singles in the UK Hit singles in the US Music charts (Billboard) Music books Carols for Choirs The Oxford Book of Carols The New Oxford Book of Carols Piae Cantiones Other media In literature A Christmas Carol Films Santa Claus in film Christmas horror Poetry "Old Santeclaus with Much Delight" "A Visit from St. Nicholas" "Christmas Day in the Workhouse" "Journey of the Magi" "Tomten" Christmas television specials United States Yule Log Apollo 8 Genesis reading In modern society Black Friday (partying) Black Friday (shopping) Bronner's Christmas Wonderland Christmas and holiday season Christmas club Christmas creep Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 Christmas jumpers Christmas Lectures Christmasland in New Taipei City Christmas Mountains Christmas seals Christmas truce Controversies Cyber Monday Economics GivingTuesday Grinch El Gordo Jews and Christmas In July In August NBA games NFL games Pikkujoulu SantaCon Santa's Candy Castle Santa Claus Village Scrooge Small Business Saturday Super Saturday Virginia O'Hanlon ("Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus") White Christmas Xmas Food and drink Dinner Joulupöytä Julbord Julebord Kūčios Réveillon Thirteen desserts Twelve-dish supper Wigilia Sweets Baked Alaska Candy cane Cake Cookie Cozonac Fruitcake Gingerbread Kutia Makówki Melomakarono Mince pie Pampushka Panettone Pavlova Pecan pie Poppy seed roll Pudding Pumpkin pie Qurabiya Red velvet cake Sugar plum Stollen Szaloncukor Turrón Yule log Soup Menudo Borscht Sauces Bread sauce Cranberry sauce Redcurrant sauce Beverages Apple cider Champurrado Coquito Eggnog Hot chocolate Kissel Mulled wine Smoking bishop Ponche crema Snowball Dumplings Hallaca Pierogi Tamale Meat and fish Carp Gefilte fish Ham Pickled herring Roast goose Romeritos Stuffing Tourtière Turkey Category

v t e Liturgical year of the Catholic Church Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite of the Latin Church (1969 Calendar) Advent Sundays 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Immaculate Conception December 17 to 23 Christmas Season Christmas Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Holy Family Mary, Mother of God Epiphany Baptism of the Lord Ordinary Time Presentation of the Lord Lent Ash Wednesday Sundays 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Saint Joseph Annunciation Palm Sunday Holy Week Paschal Triduum Holy Thursday Chrism Mass Mass of the Lord's Supper Good Friday Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Easter Season Easter Sunday Octave Sundays 2nd Divine Mercy Sunday 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Ascension Pentecost Ordinary Time Trinity Sunday Corpus Christi Sacred Heart Visitation Nativity of John the Baptist Saints Peter and Paul Transfiguration Assumption Nativity of Mary Exaltation of the Cross All Saints' Day / All Hallows' Day All Souls' Day Presentation of Mary Christ the King Tridentine Mass of the Roman Rite of the Latin Church (1960 Calendar) Advent Sundays 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Rorate Mass Immaculate Conception Greater Ferias Winter Ember Days Christmas Season Christmas Christmas Eve Octave Day of Christmas Holy Name of Jesus Epiphany Season Epiphany Holy Family Baptism of the Lord Purification of MaryP Lent Pre-Lent Septuagesima Sexagesima Quinquagesima Lent Ash Wednesday Sundays 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Spring Ember Days Saint Joseph Annunciation Passiontide Passion Sunday Palm SundayP Holy WeekP Paschal Triduum Tenebrae Holy Thursday Chrism Mass Mass of the Lord's Supper Good Friday Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Easter Season Easter SundayP Octave Sundays after Easter 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Rogation DaysP AscensionP Pentecost Season Pentecost Summer Ember Days Trinity Sunday Corpus ChristiP Sacred Heart Saint John the Baptist Saints Peter and Paul Precious Blood Visitation Transfiguration Assumption Nativity of Mary Exaltation of the CrossP Autumn Ember Days Maternity of Mary Christ the King All Saints' Day / All Hallows' Day All Saints' Eve / All Hallows' Eve All Souls' Day Presentation of Mary Legend P = Ordinary Procession according to the Roman Ritual Legend Italic font marks the 10 holy days of obligation in the universal calendar which do not normally fall on a Sunday. Older calendars 1955 pre-1955 Tridentine Liturgical colours Ranking Computus Easter cycle Catholic Church portal

v t e Nativity of Jesus People Holy Family Christ Child (Jesus) Mary Joseph Magi Melchior Caspar Balthazar Others Shepherds Herod the Great Place Bethlehem Gifts of the Magi Gold Frankincense Myrrh Narratives Gospel of Matthew Matthew 1 Matthew 1:18 Matthew 1:19 Matthew 1:20 Matthew 1:21 Matthew 1:22 Matthew 1:23 Matthew 1:24 Matthew 1:25 Matthew 2:11 Adoration of the Magi (In art) Gospel of Luke Luke 2 Annunciation to the shepherds Related Date Manger Star of Bethlehem Virgin birth of Jesus Saint Joseph's dreams Flight into Egypt In culture In art In film Batlejka Chalking the door Christmas village Szopka Nativity displays theft Nativity play Vertep Serbian Others Remembrances Advent Christmas Church of the Nativity Nativity Fast

Authority control databases International GND National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Midnight Mass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Mass) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Mass?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.