500 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY
First baptism by Fernando Amorsolo
Christianity came to the Philippines with the first Mass celebrated in Limasawa Island on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521. That day also marked the baptism of Rajah Humabon who was given his Christian name Carlos and his wife, Hara Amihan, who was baptized Juana.
The first Filipino Catholics that year received the most precious gift of faith. Over the next 500 years, Christianity spread across the archipelago, weaving itself into the fabric of our country’s character and culture and becoming a significant pillar of strength for our nation.
We are the third country in the world with the biggest Catholic population. Filipino migrants and missionaries are recognized for not only bringing our traditions and culture but also our strong sense of faith in most of the 200 countries where we can be found. The Catholic Church in the Philippines encourages Filipinos around the world to observe this occasion. The Filipino faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto will be part of the celebration: a great opportunity for us to renew, deepen and strenghen our faith!
The first Filipino Catholics that year received the most precious gift of faith. Over the next 500 years, Christianity spread across the archipelago, weaving itself into the fabric of our country’s character and culture and becoming a significant pillar of strength for our nation.
We are the third country in the world with the biggest Catholic population. Filipino migrants and missionaries are recognized for not only bringing our traditions and culture but also our strong sense of faith in most of the 200 countries where we can be found. The Catholic Church in the Philippines encourages Filipinos around the world to observe this occasion. The Filipino faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto will be part of the celebration: a great opportunity for us to renew, deepen and strenghen our faith!
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Let us vigorously celebrate so that we will all be motivated to go out to share the gift of the Christian faith!" |
ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO CELEBRATION
Our celebration is also a mission. We are missionaries of faith in our adopted country and we have become a valuable contributor to the growth of the Church in the Archdiocese of Toronto. The zeal and passion by which we practice our faith manifest itself in our prayerful devotion - filling up the pews, integrating ourselves into parish life, and in the joyful, dedicated service we give to the Church.
With the blessing of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, a Volunteer Organizing Committee was formed composed of lay leaders from the Filipino community who will undertake the task of lining up events to make the celebration even more faith-filled and meaningful.
The celebration will commence with the Simbang Gabi in December 2020 followed by a formal virtual launch and inaugural Mass on March 16, 2021. A series of inspiring talks to be delivered by noted Filipino clergy and religious will be done during Holy Week, complementing a planned virtual Visita Iglesia and Pabasa which are well-loved Filipino faith traditions. Other inspiring talks and mini-conferences are also being prepared for the youth and for families. A Fiestalicious Foodie Week is also in the offing so watch out for it!
The closing event will be highlighted by an inspirational talk from Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and a Mass to be celebrated by Thomas Cardinal Collins. By then, through the various events and fundraisers to be implemented, we hope to gift the diocese with a scholarship fund for Filipino seminarians and religious men and women studying in the diocese!
With the blessing of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, a Volunteer Organizing Committee was formed composed of lay leaders from the Filipino community who will undertake the task of lining up events to make the celebration even more faith-filled and meaningful.
The celebration will commence with the Simbang Gabi in December 2020 followed by a formal virtual launch and inaugural Mass on March 16, 2021. A series of inspiring talks to be delivered by noted Filipino clergy and religious will be done during Holy Week, complementing a planned virtual Visita Iglesia and Pabasa which are well-loved Filipino faith traditions. Other inspiring talks and mini-conferences are also being prepared for the youth and for families. A Fiestalicious Foodie Week is also in the offing so watch out for it!
The closing event will be highlighted by an inspirational talk from Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and a Mass to be celebrated by Thomas Cardinal Collins. By then, through the various events and fundraisers to be implemented, we hope to gift the diocese with a scholarship fund for Filipino seminarians and religious men and women studying in the diocese!
We received the gift of the Christian faith through the missionaries who came to our land;
now the Filipinos baptized in the Philippines and Canada are called to give it to others."
