19 March 2021
Exactly 500 years to the day, Most Rev Anthony Randazzo, Bishop of Broken Bay along with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana led the community of the Church in a celebration of thanksgiving to mark the milestone of half a millennium of Christianity in the Philippines.
Bishop Randazzo celebrated the Mass on 16 March 2021, at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Parish, Chatswood, at which the Filipino-born Nuncio, the representative of Pope Francis in Australia, preached a homily recognising five centuries of the Christian faith that have influenced and shaped the Filipino people.
On 16 March 1521 the first Spanish fleet arrived in the Philippines and planted the cross of Jesus Christ on the Island of Mactan in Cebu. Soon after the first Mass was celebrated, the first baptism took place and the faith quickly spread throughout the archipelago.
Filipino Australians are the fifth-largest expat community, accounting for 232,384 people in Australia at the last census. Of them, three quarters identify as Roman Catholic. The Philippines is the top birthplace of Catholics in Australia born overseas.
Fr David Ranson, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood and Vicar-General of the Diocese of Broken Bay, welcomed the Nuncio along with many other communities represented amongst the hundreds gathered, including the Indian, Chinese, Korean and Irish Catholic communities.
“Filipinos are filled with gratitude for the message of the Gospel that was given 500 years ago,” said Archbishop Yllana in his homily.
“Australians of Filipino heritage generously live their Christian faith, often unheralded and through unassuming ways in the many parishes and communities around the nation. They preach the Gospel by their actions. They are readers, catechists, cleaners, and those actively present in the liturgy, they are faithful witnesses.”
The Nuncio explained that the faith of the Filipino community is deeply Christocentric and Marian and should not be misunderstood as simply ‘ethnic’ or ‘devotional’, but rather Catholic and universal reflecting a deep understanding of the Gospel.
A key part of the celebration was the handing over of a large wooden cross from the older members of the community to the younger generation. This came with a prayer and blessing to place the mantle of leadership on the younger generation and encourage them to step forward and take up their responsibility, like their forebears to live their baptismal vocation in the mission of the Church.
“Gifted to Give” is the theme of the quincentenary celebrations reflecting the renewed call to engage in mission. The theme proclaims that the gift of faith that was so gratefully received by the Filipino people ought to be freely and joyfully given.
The Filipino Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Broken Bay will be leading celebrations throughout the year to mark this significant milestone at various locations around Sydney and the Central Coast. The year-long commemorations include a “Flores de Mayo” (Flowers of May) celebration in honour of Our Lady on 9 May; a commemorative Mass to honour Filipino saints – San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod on 11 July; a re-enactment of the First Mass in the Filipino Archipelago on 17 October; and “Simbang Gabi” (Christmas Novena Masses) celebrations beginning 12 December.
Archbishop Yllana's homily (PDF 457.4KB)