Diocese of Mati Culminates 500 Years of Christianity

Emphasizing the greatest gift of faith, the Diocese of Mati culminated the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity on April 25, 2020, savoring the richness of faith of the lay faithful in the Diocese.

Bp. Abel C. Apigo led the concelebrated Mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral at 3PM, with the Diocese of Mati Clergy and guests priests, Fr. Antonio Basilio, SJ and Fr. Pierre Samson, PME, school administrators from the ten Catholic schools in the diocese, and representatives from the 19 parishes and 2 quasi parishes.

The Bishop was exuding with gratitude because those were the fruits of the painstaking efforts and sacrifices of the early missionaries who had their time in the diocese. Several years later, one monastery, one seminary were added, while the diocese now boasts of its 1,010 GKKs.

In his homily, he reiterated the needed to look back from where we started, and the need to look what lies ahead.

“We needed to be guided and be inspired with what transpired before for us to move forward and reach where we are headed to. This is the gift of faith. We have to nourish it, and we have to share it. This is something we must forever be grateful of,” he said.

After the Holy Eucharist, the Walk for Catholic faith followed, where the mass attendees marched from the Cathedral to Mati Park and Baywalk.

A very inspiring and educational program followed, showcasing the journey of the Catholic faith, from where and how it started through Ferdinand Magellan, and during the American and Japanese era to how the Catholic faith is now.

The different Catholic schools, movements and apostolates of the church presented beautiful performances.

For making a difference in the lives of the lay faithful, and for the beautiful metamorphosis of the Catholic faith, the Diocese gave recognition to ten awardees, namely the RVM, MIC, PME, OSA, SJ, Maryknoll Fathers, San Salvador del Mundo Parish, Ateneo de Davao University, Bp. Emeritus Patricio Alo, and the provincial government of Davao Oriental.

In accepting the recognition in behalf of the honorees, Fr. Pierre Samson, PME stressed on the most beautiful gift that we have received ever, the gift of faith, the gift of knowing God.

“Knowing who God is in our lives is our best gift. God is love, and if we want to be a missionary, we must show the love of Christ. This is what we need. We have to spread acts of love, acts of mercy. We have to make sure that the seed of faith in us lives and grows. And not only through words, but may it also be seen in what we do that we ourselves, are good news to others,” he furthered.

Highlighting the program was the rendition of the clergy and the religious men and women of “Paring Pilipino and “Amare et Servire”

Bp. Abel Apigo also commended the strong faith of the Catholics that made 500 years journey as.a beautiful gift also to the source of it all, GOD. (Neela G. Duallo)