Papal Nuncio greets Catholic faithful; Maasin Diocese celebrates quincentennial of the first Holy Mass in Limasawa
MANILA – As the Catholic church in the Philippines commemorates the First Easter Mass on Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte on this day 500 years ago, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown extended his greetings to Maasin Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB and the clergy, religious men and women and the laity gathered at the Magallanes Shrine in Limawasa, Island.
Bishop Cantillas presided over the Pontifical Mass for the occasion.
“Every celebration of the Eucharist ends with the presider saying ‘Ite missa est,’ to which the congregation responds ‘Deo gratias: Thanks be to God!” he said. Archbishop Brown said five centuries after the first Mass was offered in the country, the Church in the Philippines is “invited anew to ‘go forth’ and become a community of authentic missionary disciples.
He added the love of Christ made present in every celebration of the Holy Mass, calls on everyone to proclaim the Gospel received to all the world. He underscored the importance of sharing the first of faith with others that the faithful can express thanksgiving to God “who has loved us through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered, died and rose again from the dead.”
“Invoking the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and of St. Joseph, Her most chaste Spouse, in the name of the successor of Peter, His Holiness Pope Francis, I bless all of you,” Archbishop Brown concluded his message.
The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines was supposed to deliver the homily at this morning’s Mass. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs advised all diplomats to restrict travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Also in attendance were Palo Archbishop John Du, Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) Archbishop Emeritus Francesco Panfilo, SDB, Bishop Oscar Jaime L. Florencio of the Military Ordinariate and Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Nolly Camingue Buco. Msgr. Bernie Pantin represented the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. (Melo M. Acuña)
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown, Maasin Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB and the faithful who braved the inclement weather outside the Magallanes Shrine in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte. (Photos: CBCP Media Office/Screen grab from Diocese of Maasin and TV Maria/Melo M. Acuna)
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