This year is a significant event in the faith lives of every Filipino Catholics

throughout the world. For in this year, we celebrate the quincentenary of Christianity in

the Philippines. It was 500 years ago, in 1521, that the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand

Magellan, representing the Spanish Empire, arrived in the Visayan region of the

Philippines and planted the seed of Christianity in the Philippine Island. It was 500 years

ago when the First Profession of Faith happened. And it was 500 years ago, when the

Filipinos first received Christ in their hearts.

The Church and Christianity is an integral part of Philippine history and culture. It

is for this reason that the 5th centenary celebration is not just a Church celebration, but

deserves the recognition and appreciation of the State and the nation. Hence,, it is not just

an ecclesial celebration, but also a celebration of who we are as a people and nation. For

better or for worse, without the arrival of Magellan and the Spanish missionaries to our

shores, there would have been no Philippines. Probably, we would have continued being

separate islands and isolated barangays or part of an expanded sultanate of Sulu or of

Indonesia. So, let us count and give thanks for the blessings without forgetting the dark

side of the past that continues to haunt the present.

We thank God for the gift of Christianity in the Philippines. May we continue to

live out our Christian identity with perseverance and hope. Just like the Blessed, the

perfect model of discipleship, may we continue the mission that Goid entrusted to each

and everyone. And now, to mark this holy celebration in our community, let us all

witness the entrance of Cross- the Cross or Christ- the greatest symbol of love and

salvation to all.