500 Years of Christianity
Importance
The Christian faith that arrived in the Philippines 500 years ago, is very much alive today in the joyful witness to evangelical charity by Catholics, even in hard times, says Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The Philippine Church has been preparing for this great jubilee celebration for 9 years, with each year having a specific theme.
The Beginning
It all began when the great 16th-century Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who led a Spanish expedition to the so-called ‘East Indies’, 1519 to 1522, reached what is today known as the Philippines on 16 March 1521. His sailors had planned to remain there for a month and a half. It is believed that during that time, the first Mass was celebrated on Filipino soil on March 31, 1521, on the island of Limasawa, south of Leyte. Some 800 were baptized to form the first Catholic community.
Celebration
The Catholic Church in the Philippines has chosen Easter Sunday, 4 April, to formally inaugurate the year-long celebration of the 5th centenary. On that occasion, in a ceremony, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), will flag off the opening of the “Holy Doors” of pilgrim churches across the nation. The theme of the jubilee celebration is “Gifted to Give”.
ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER PARISH CANLUBANG
AWIT NG MISYON
Most Reverend Bishop Buenaventura "Ben" Famadico of the Diocese of San Pablo invites everyone to join the celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity.
Rev. Fr. Edwin Lusterio, former Parish Priest of St. Joseph The Worker Parish Canlubang, invites everyone to celebrate the 500 Years of Christianity.