1521

2021
152 On September 19, 1519, the
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan commanded the first
expedition around the world,
consisting of 270 men and five ships

1
with the permission of King Charles
V of Spain. Having crossed the
Atlantic Ocean, and survived storms
and mutinies, he successfully
negotiated the Magellan Strait,
entering the Pacific Ocean.
152 On March 16, 1521, Magellan
sighted the Island on Homonhon, in
Eastern Samer, where they got
exchanged gifts and food with nine
friendly Samareños. The newfound

1
islands were called, “Archipelago of
Saint Lazarus”. Because they landed
on the Saint’s feast day.
152 On the same day when
Ferdinand Magellan
planted the Cross upon
arrival in Cebu. This

1
symbolizes the advent of
Christianity in the
Philippines.
152 On March 28, 1521, they
reached the Island of Limasawa,
Southern Leyte, referred to as
Massaua. Magellan befriended
Rajah Kolambu or Rajah

1
Humabon, King of Limasawa,
with whom he made a Blood
Compact, and his brother Rajah
Siagu, King of Butuan, who was
there to visit.
152 On March 31, 1521, Easter
Sunday, the First Mass on
Philippine soil was offered
presided by Fr. Pedro de
Valderrama, which was

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attended by Magellan and 40
Spaniards, on their knees and
with clasped hands, and the two
kings.
152 The natives were so
impressed by the solemnity
of the Liturgy and by the
devotion of the explorers,

1
that they also kissed the
Cross and expressed their
desire to become Christians.
152 On April 14, 1521,
the First Baptism
was celebrated in

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Cebu for King
Humabon and 800 of
his subjects.
152 After Baptism, Don
Carlos (Humabon) and
Doña Juana

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(Humamay) were
given a cross, image of
the Virgin Mary, and a
Santo Niño.
152 and on April 27, 1521,
Magellan was defeated
and killed by Lapu-

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Lapu, the Chief of
Mactan and the first
national hero.
The 500
Years
logo
 Gospel Caption:
the year’s theme,
“Gifted to Give”
(Mt. 10:8),
indicates our
responsibility of
bringing Christ to all
nations.
 Cross:
designed as the Mast
of the Ship, the Holy
Cross symbolizes the
center of our Faith
and instrument of
Salvation.
 Ship:
it signifies the Church
as the Boat of St.
Peter that, although
in the midst of stormy
seas, it is kept safe by
our Lord.
 Dove:
attached as the sail to
the Cross, it
represents the Holy
Spirit, who is the
driving force of the
missionaries around
the world.
 First Baptism:
the Christening of the
first Filipino
Catholics in Cebu, on
14 April 1521, is
inspired by
Amorsolo’s painting.
 Sun:
it symbolizes the
Risen Lord, the
conqueror of
darkness and death;
and the Flag of the
Philippines, the
“Pearl of the Orient
 Rosary:
the blue beads
represent our deep
love and devotion for
the Virgin Mary, who
is the Protectress of
the Philippines.
 Fish:
it is the symbol of
Christ’s Divinity,
because its Greek
word IXTUS is the
acronym for: “ Jesus
Christ God’s Son our
Saviour.”
“WE GIVE OUR
YES”
Mission Theme Song
500 Years of Christianity in the
Philippines
Words and Music: Fr. Carlo Magno S.
Marelo
 We stand before the grand
horizon
Five hundred years of faith
grateful today
We bear the gist of mission
Totally Yours, we give ourselves
Faithfully Yours until
the end
To Your mission Lord,
We give our YES!
Go where the sun rises above the Hills
Share the word and serve
Those who are in need
Let the morning star accompany your
way
Spread the fire of mission for the Lord
 We stand before the grand
horizon
Five hundred years of faith
grateful today
We bear the gist of mission
Totally Yours, we give ourselves
Faithfully Yours until
the end
To Your mission Lord,
We give our YES!
 We are gifted to give and live our
gifts
Mercy, compassion, justice and
peace
The sign our world today will come
to believe
We bear the gift of
mission
Mercy, compassion,
justice and peace
 We stand before the grand
horizon
Five hundred years of faith
grateful today
We bear the gist of mission
Totally Yours, we give ourselves
Faithfully Yours until
the end
To Your mission Lord,
We give our YES!
To Your mission
Lord,
We give our YES!