Catholics celebrate 498th first mass

TACLOBAN CITY - About 3,000 Roman Catholic faithful gathered in Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte for this year’s 498th first mass celebration Sunday, March 31.

“Almost 500 years ago, they just said the mass with few people. It was like a seed put in the soil. Now, that seed has become a big tree,” said Most Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

“The presence of the Church and the presence of Christianity has shaped this country and the entire world,” he added.

The apostolic nuncio said the first Catholic mass held by Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish army along with the local settlers “reminds us that the beginning is always small, something that seems not so important.”

“Who knew at that time that in a remote island in the Pacific somebody was saying the mass? Back there, they did not even know that there were lands and islands here,” he said.

“We are grateful to those who came. But as they came, they went. But faith stays,” added Caccia in his homily.

According to him, the legacy of the first mass “is not only language and culture but the gift of knowledge of true God.”

Caccia led the holy mass together with Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas, Palo Archbishop John Du, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, diocese priests, and other religious groups.

The mass was also attended by Southern Leyte Representative Roger Mercado, Governor Damian

Mercado, and other local officials.

In his message, Cantillas urged the Catholics to “continue to share the faith.”

Rommel Labastida said he is “happy and excited” to join the celebration.

“The first mass activity strengthens my religion,” said the 34-year-old parent from Limasawa.

Another Catholic Abbie Jean Tampos, 26, said the event “has renewed my faith.”

“As a youth leader, we are looking at this celebration as a stepping stone for our youths to further understand and embrace their Catholic belief,” Tampos told Sunstar Philippines.

Tampos, who traveled with other youths from Maasin City to Limasawa, said their presence is also a sign of support to the claim of Southern Leyte that the first mass had occurred in Limasawa and not in Masao, Butuan.