Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines Virtual Celebration in Ontario

 

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Toronto-Canada
February 26, 2021
 




This year, 2021, Filipinos all over the world will celebrate virtually the 500th year of the coming of Christianity to the Philippines upon the arrival of the European explorers to the Philippine shores on March 16, 1521, and the first mass in Limasawa on March 31, 1521.  Historically, the Philippines will commemorate likewise the victory of the first Filipino hero, Chief Lapu-Lapu, and his fighters in the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521, against the Portuguese - led conquistador Fernando Magallanes and his Spanish soldiers.

In Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Filipinos of the Catholic faith are proudly and eagerly anticipating to participate online in the various events planned and organized to celebrate the most significant milestone of the introduction and development of Catholicism in the country. The Archdiocese of Toronto, led by His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, has supported and encouraged the holding of Catholic faith-focused religious activities amid the health and safety protocol-regulated pandemic crisis. 

With the blessing of the Archbishop of Toronto and observing the mandate of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines's Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines known as the "Ph500 QJCP", a Volunteer Organizing Committee was created and tasked to organize religious events "to make the celebration meaningful to the Filipino faithful." The committee was spearheaded initially by Rev. Fr. Sherwin Holandez with volunteer lay people as members and is currently under the guidance of Fr. Lorenzo Salandanan, the new Pastor of Our Lady of The Assumption Parish.

Under the theme of "Gifted To Give-Toronto 2021" the March-April 2021 activities are scheduled to be delivered and presented virtually by viewing via the OLA website at www. 500phtoronto.com, and Facebook and YouTube site, and include the following 8-day events:



March 16, 2021: "Anniversary Mass and Celebrations" at the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. This event will formally open with the Inaugural Mass to be celebrated by the Spiritual Adviser, Rev. Lorenzo Salandanan, and other Filipino priests, and special messages from Cardinal Luis Tagle and Cardinal Thomas Collins.

March 29- 31, 2021:  "Holy Week Talk and Reflection". This will focus on the main topic " Planting Seeds Wherever We Are" and noted Filipino Canadian missionaries of faith "will share nuggets of faith and wisdom."



 -March 29(Holy Monday) - "Created for Such a Time as This" by Philippine-born- and -raised Rev. Kenneth Lao of the Companions of the Cross(C.C.), who is the associate pastor of St. Mary's Parish, Ottawa. He has Mechanical Engineering and MBA degrees and is "passionate about preaching and uses social media to bring people closer to God."  St. Mary's Parish, Ottawa. He has Mechanical Engineering and MBA degrees and is "passionate about preaching and uses social media to bring people closer to God."



-March 30( Holy Tuesday)- A talk by Fr. Luis Calleja, Pastor of St. Timothy's Parish in Orangeville, Ontario. Fr. L. Calleja, an only child of Filipino parents, was born, raised, and educated in Toronto.



-March 31( Holy Wednesday) - A talk by Sisters of Life, with Sorores Vitae(S.V.) speakers Sister Antoniana Maria Macapagal, Sister Marita Del Fuente, and Sister Avelina Joseph Lagalagot.





April 1 ( Maundy Thursday): 1) A talk by Rev. Fr. Carlos Macatangga, SVD, Pastor of Cristo Rei Parish in Mississauga, Ontario. He is the Society of Divine Word District Superior for Canada and is an engaging speaker and homilist. 2) Virtual Visita Iglesia. A Holy Week tradition where devotees visit and pray before the Altar of Repose in at least 7 different churches which are hosts to large Filipino congregations. It marks the day when Jesus agonized in prayer in Gethsemane. The Visita Iglesia will be done in local parishes which are hosts to large Filipino congregations. (View it on our website & Facebook and YouTube sites)





April 2 (Good Friday) :1) Virtual Stations of the Cross. Our virtual Stations of the Cross will help you reflect on the mystery of Christ’s passion. We will visit 7 churches in our diocese so you can virtually experience being in the church during this day of solemn prayer. You and your family can find a quiet place to pray and contemplate on how God is speaking which to you through the Way of the Cross. 2) Pabasa at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. Pabasa is a traditional reading in chant form, of the Pasyon, a narrative book that contains the life of Christ. It is a way for Catholics to reflect on the passion of Christ during the Lenten Season - a form of meditation, expression of faith to God, and activity made with the fellow community.



April 3 ( Holy Saturday): Sister Cora, FMA(Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice) will talk on "Stabat Mater (Standing by the Cross): The Blessed Mary with Us Today". A Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco. Sr. Cora, is based in Surrey, B.C. as the Vocation Director, Animator, and Director of Religious Education in O.L. of Counsel Parish.



April 4 (Easter); Virtual Easter Mass of Hope with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD will Celebrate the Risen Lord! specially dedicated to the Filipino faithful in the diocese. Join us as he "shares the glory and the joy of Christ’s Resurrection and the much-needed hope it brings to our hearts and spirits!"

The  "QJCP Ph500-Toronto" virtual jubilee celebration is expected to provide a great opportunity for us Filipinos "to renew, deepen and strengthen our Catholic faith".  With the third biggest Catholic population in the world, the Philippines is recognized for its people's "strong sense of faith".This brings into focus the woven fabric of "character and culture of our country" and thus "become a significant pillar of strength for our nation."( Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired).