NHCP Photo Collection, 2018
First Mass in the Philippines*
FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES
CELEBRATED HERE ON EASTER SUNDAY, 31 MARCH 1521, WHEN MAGELLAN LANDED ON THIS ISLAND OF LIMASAWA ON HIS VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD. EARLY IN THE MORNING MAGELLAN SENT ASHORE PRIEST PEDRO DE VALDERAMA WITH MEN TO PREPARE A MASS AND TO INFORM RAJAH KOLAMBU, THROUGH AN INTERPRETER THAT HE AND HIS MEN WOULD LAND TO ATTEND. THE RAJAH SHOWED CONSENT BY SENDING GIFTS. AS MAGELLAN AND HIS MEN APPROACHED THE SHORE A SALVO OF SIX GUNS WAS FIRED AS A SIGN OF PEACE. RAJAHS KOLAMBU AND SI-AGU EACH EMBRACED MAGELLAN FLANKED HIM AND TOGETHER WITH THE SAILORS, THEY MARCHED TO THE PLACE OF WORSHIP. DURING THE MASS THE RAJAHS REMAINED ON THEIR KNEES WITH CLASPED HANDS; AT THE ELEVATION THE SHIPS FIRED ALL THEIR ARTILLERY IN RESPONSE TO MUSKET SIGNAL FROM THE SHORE.
