Pope Paul Francis and Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines during Special Papal Mass in the Vatican Rome, March 14, 2021. Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines.

How does one celebrate 500 years milestone history in three continents, with a pandemic? The best and only way is through modern technology. The simultaneous celebration from the Philippines, Toronto Canada, and Rome during year-long planning and coordination between different groups in Toronto with the guidance of Consul General Orontes V. Castro since 2019. The 2021 celebration will be marked with great thanksgiving to God for the great gift of the Christian faith. Through the initiative of Rev. Sherwin Holandez, Pastor of Our Lady of Assumption Parish (the seat of the Filipino mission in the diocese) and with the blessing of His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, the Archdiocese of Toronto’s celebration for 500th year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, the celebration begin on March 16, 2021, and will last till the end of the year.

Their theme, “Gifted to Give” remind us that Filipinos are more than just migrants, but are strong missionaries and ambassadors of the faith. Filipinos give more of themselves through the gift of faith handed down through generations. We stand as one with the Church. We are missionaries of the faith. We serve with selfless joy. We celebrate the growth of the Church. We celebrate our faith and religiously. We teach the faith to our children. The Filipino people are “ GIFTED to GIVE” wherever they may be.

Special Commemoration Mass was also held in St. Michael Cathedral Toronto, by Fr. Mathew McCarthy, Vocations Director of Archdiocese of Toronto with concelebrant,

Fr. Jeremias Inoc. Steaming during Holy Week will be held about “Lent Talk” planting seeds of faith wherever we are. Evangelization and Spiritual growth to be held on April 12th and 19th 2021.

TCDSB chairman Joseph Martino, Dr. Brendan Browne, TCDSB Director of Education, with the whole trustee unanimously voted and signed on Oct.23, 2020, Proclamation 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines 1521-2021. Every Trustee sends their best wishes and congratulations. The participation and cooperation of the Filipino-Canadian community of Toronto is vital without it, the celebration will not be completed according to the consul general and chair of task force celebrations. There was also a celebration of family day.

A compilation of significant events during the past 500 hundred years was presented by footage clippings including the famous bloodless “People’s Power Revolution” of 1986 which saw the departure of autocrat Ferdinand and the 1995 World Youth mass celebrated in the Philippines by Pope John Paul the second. The footages narrate the growth and expansions of the Catholic faith not only in the Philippines but all over the world where Filipinos move and chose to live. The celebration is meaningful to every Filipino around the world, not just in the Philippines. If there were no pandemics, I am positive that it would have been a bigger celebration. After all, it has been half a millennium that God has been present in that Far East Asian country.