It means waking up earlier during that time of year when the crisp air makes a person in Hawai'i want to stay under the blankets a little longer.

But for Salt Lake resident Annabelle Castillo and hundreds of other Roman Catholics who flock to churches before dawn on each of the nine days before Christmas, sacrificing a few hours of sleep to take part in Misa de Gallo is something to look forward to each holiday season.

Translated from Spanish as "Mass of the Rooster," Misa de Gallo was introduced to Catholics in the Philippines by missionaries from Spain, where the tradition is believed to have started. At least 10 Catholic churches in Hawai'i, many of them with large Filipino congregations, celebrate Misa de Gallo Masses, often followed by about an hour of fellowship and breakfast.

Castillo, 43, a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Kalihi since she was a child, said it's the anticipation that makes Misa de Gallo special for her.

"Something's going to happen at the end of the nine days," she said. "It gets me going."

Attending the Masses this year held extra meaning for Castillo because last spring she suffered a heart attack and underwent triple bypass surgery. "Everyone prayed for me," she said.

Castillo said her motivation to rise early is tied to a visit to the Philippines 15 years ago when she observed residents of the rural town of Vigan making their way to church for Misa de Gallo.

"It's amazing the sacrifice they make, walking in the dark to church," she said. "You even have bats flying at night. I asked myself: 'If they can make the sacrifice, why can't I?' "

While Misa de Gallo, also referred to as the Aguinaldo Masses and the Simbang Gabi, is celebrated in Spain and elsewhere, it was in the Philippines where it became a pre-dawn novena. Priests say Misa de Gallo was celebrated before dawn so that fishermen coming home from a night on the water and plantation workers on their way to work could attend.

At St. Joseph Church in Waipahu, Misa de Gallo Mass began at 4:30 a.m., but many parishioners, including those who headed straight to work after Mass, were in the parking lot by 3 a.m., according to the church's pastor, the Rev. Joven "Jojo" Junio.

St. Joseph's features one of the largest Misa de Gallo turnouts on O'ahu. With the church undergoing a $3.5 million renovation, the 400 faithful who gathered daily since Dec. 16 huddled under a large tent behind the cafeteria.

On Thursday, as Bishop Larry Silva presided over Mass and the congregation sang "Hallelujah," a rooster crowed.

Silva, who in July was ordained as bishop and installed as head of the Catholic church in Hawai'i, said he first attended Misa de Gallo as a priest in Oakland, Calif.

"It's a beautiful expression of faith," he said. "And for so many people to come out at 4:30 in the morning shows how devoted they are to the Lord."

After Mass, a line formed in the holiday-bedecked cafeteria for a buffet full of breakfast foods provided by parishioners. Nessie Quinpara of Village Park said in addition to standard ethnic dishes, such as pancit noodles and bibingka cake, Misa de Gallo is the time to break out arroz caldo, the Filipino version of chicken rice soup.

Candleholders handmade specifically for Misa de Gallo were provided by parishioner Flora LaFlorga of Waipahu. "Every time we pray, we always have candles," LaFlorga said.

Rudy Medina, 52, of the Robinson Heights section of Waipahu, has attended Misa de Gallo with his wife, Betita, since coming to Hawai'i in 1985.

Compared with the season of Lent, which precedes Easter and is "sad because Jesus Christ died during that time," Medina said, "the celebration right now is very different because this is when Jesus Christ was born."

"It's more lively and people are more happy," said Betita Medina, 54. "It's probably because of the Christmas spirit."

After a 5 a.m. Mass in Kalihi on Thursday, St. John the Baptist parishioners gathered at their parish cafeteria for food and fellowship.

While nearly everyone at the St. Joseph's gathering is part of the Filipino community, the crowd of 200 or so churchgoers at St. John's was a bit more ethnically diverse.

The Rev. Edgar Brillantes, St. John's pastor, estimated that about 75 percent of the congregation is Filipino. As for the rest, he said, "we have the Hawaiians, Samoans, Japanese, and Koreans, Micronesians and Tongans."

After Mass, Darlene Nuusolia, 14, of 'Aiea, enjoyed a pastry while chatting with her cousins who, like her, are part of St. John's Samoan choir.

"We normally don't eat Filipino food for breakfast," Nuusolia said, drawing laughter from her cousins. Nuusolia said besides the arroz caldo, her favorite Filipino dish, she also appreciates that through Misa de Gallo "we can learn about different traditions from different cultures."

Michelle Tuzon, 58, of Moanalua Gardens, who brought Portuguese bean soup as her potluck contribution, said, "It's nice how the whole church community has embraced this tradition."

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.