Simbang Gabi (or dawn Mass) is a Filipino tradition of nine consecutive Advent novena Masses that lead to Christmas. It begins on Friday, December 16 at 8:30 am and ends on Saturday, December 24th. The Simbang Gabi on Sunday, December 18th, however, coincides with the 9:30 am Mass. Simbang Gabi dates back in 1668 when Spanish missionaries brough the practice from Mexico. It was one of the means for the friars to evangelize the natives. Originally, priests would hold very early predawn masses to accomodate the needs of the fishermen who finished up their work rather late, and farmers who started their work early. Since then, however, the schedules of this predawn Masses have changed. In the parish of St. Joseph of Cupertino, the Simbang Gabi is celebrated not in the evening nor early in the morning; but at the 8:30 am daily Mass.