Evening Mass at the Church of the Gesu

A pre-evening Mass musical presentation

Hearing one of the evening Masses at the Church of the Gesu during the Advent season is slowly beginning to be a family tradition. Last year, I attended one of these evening Masses that was sponsored by the Gawad Kalinga Youth of the Ateneo. Each evening Mass was sponsored by a different Atenean organization. Immediately before the start of every Mass, a different Ateneo-based chorale would deliver a mini-concert and then serve as the choir during the Eucharistic celebration.

Church-goers, many of which attend as a whole family as well, treat themselves to various snack meals offered by food stalls or to some merchandise that are sold across the street from the church in a field named after Jesuit priest, Fr. Bellarmine. Several trees lined up beside the street were nicely lit which along with other light sources provided enough brightness for people to play in field, hold presentations or just hang around for fellowship.

I was so blessed by the whole experience that I brought them to Ateneo last year and back again this December. The solemnity of the Mass has not been eroded and noticeably, it remained for many a family affair to enjoy with each other.

Evening Mass at the Church of the Gesu: An emerging Mendoza family tradition

Having a great time at the Bellarmine field

Like last year, after the Mass, we again ate merienda like the popular Shawarma sandwich with soft drinks from the food stalls while relaxingly sitting down on the green grass of Bellarmine field.

The kids particularly Joshua and Faith loved running around the field under the night sky, many times playing with the other kids and only stopping to have a quick bite and/or a quick drink.

Coming to and going back to our Fairview home from Ateneo de Manila University even on such a late hour is not easy. But the experience and family bonding is well worth it!