CELEBRATING PAETE

Expectedly, some celebrations are grander than others. Following are the principal religious celebrations in Paete:

CHRISTMAS - Aside from the traditional Misa Aguinaldo (a choral novena of Masses celebrated for nine days starting December 17), Paetenians celebrate a Christmas midnight Mass that features a giant star lantern ("parol") that appears from the vicinity of the choir loft and travels toward the altar at the sound of the "Gloria".

The Christmas Day Masses themselves end with the adoration of the Santo Nino, the Holy Child. The image of the Baby Jesus in the Belen (creche) in Paete may be "wrapped in swaddling bands," yes, but those bands are encrusted in gold as befits the baby king. After each Mass, the congregation rushes up to the altar rails to kiss the image's arms and legs.

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