Brief historical sketches of Philippine Catholic churches

49 Religious Festivals For nine days in the mOnth of December a novenario is held in the parochial church of Sampalok in honor of the Virgin de Loreto.

On th~ evening of the ninth day, a solemn procession com~s from the church and passes thru the important streets of the district. Long before this feast comes, many ferias are built near the church and ill former times, ,e n the last day, a native play was staged on a platform built of bamboo near the church. This, being free to the public, was an occasioll when everybody could see the performance.

Beginn'ing December 16, for nine mornings the "simbang g;abi" is carefully 'observed in this church. It is always crowded especially du~ing the Good Night Mass (the night of December 24th). ' Holy Week is also Celebrated here with pomp and Jl procession of the Santo Sepulcro takes place in the evening.

About three days after this, there is anotJher procession in the evening called "Prosisyon sa sunog" in order to prevent conflagrations in the district.

The Printing Press The printing press was introduced into Manila in the seventeenth oentury, and the convent of Sampalok church at one tr~me was famous for its printing.

Among the historical books printed here were; "Cronicas de la Apostolica provincia de San Gregorio de Religiosos Descalzos de' N. S. P. San Francisco en las Islas Filip'inas, China.

Japon" etc. in 1738-44 (3 vol.) by Father Juan Francisco de San Antonio; and "Historia General de Filipinas" in 1788-92 (14 volumes) by Father Juan de la Concepcion.

The convent ,has benefited the P80ple both educationally and religiously.

Like the Quiapo church, the Sa.mpalok church has been under native priests for a long time. So the peopIe, es-