Walking Through Time Together

The Catholic Church of Davao has just concluded its 75th-year Anniversary Celebration as an Archdiocese (1949–2024), which was well attended by the clergy, various religious institutes and congregations, and the lay faithful. One of the highlights of the celebration was the Thanksgiving Program held on the evening of November 29, 2024 numbering more than three thousand, who filled the huge hall of the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City, and graced by no less than the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, His Excellency, Most Rev. Charles Brown, D.D., along with many other bishops and members of the clergy from other dioceses.

The evening was marked by the recognition of the Diamond Jubilee Awardees, who were honored for their service and commitment in the fields of health, academe, and the formation and pastoral programs of the Archdiocese. The recognition was an evidence to their enduring stewardship, sharing their time, effort, and resources selflessly, and the impact they made to the communities over the past seventy-five years, truly embracing the spirit of synodality. Among those recognized, as presented by His Excellency, Most Rev. Charles Brown, joined by His Excellency, Most Rev. Romulo Valles, Archbishop of Davao, were: the Society of Jesus (SJ), Pretres de Missions Etrangeres (PME), Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (PM), Dominican Sisters of the Trinity (OP), Sacred Heart Brothers (SC), the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS), Mrs. Mary Ann Batu, Dra. Marilyn Lim, Mr. Henry Evangelista, Mr. Eduardo Pacana, Mr. Lunar Fayloga, Mr. Felicisimo Pedrosa Sr., Mr. Rhoderick Hernandez, Mr. Jimmie Loe dela Vega, Mrs. Mercy Evangelista and family, Mr. & Mrs. Rodrigo Lozada and Engr. & Mrs. Rudy Sultan & family.

Silence from the huge crowd followed when “words of wisdom” were heard from the Papal Nuncio. Archbishop Brown began by saying that as he looked through the room, he saw the beautiful example of synodality, the theme of the 75th-year celebration. He defined the word synodality, which comes from the original Greek word meaning “caravan,” a group of people traveling together, moving together, where everyone has different responsibilities, roles, and functions because not everyone does the same thing. He added that seeing the lay people, young people, priests, religious sisters and brothers, and students from all parishes of the Archdiocese of Davao who filled the hall, “is seen as a beautiful synodality working together, journeying together at this moment in history for the glory of God. Synodality is what unites us; we are all One in the Body of Christ, the Mystical Body of Christ.”

The Papal Nuncio stressed, “the point of your 75th anniversary is not only to celebrate synodality right now at this moment in November of 2024. Synodality also goes through time… it also passes through time. The Church is a caravan, is moving through time, we are walking through time. We walk in the footsteps of a people who went before us; they show us the way, and the mile markers, the signposts on the synodal path for the Church, are the saints, the holy women and men who show us what it means to be a follower of Jesus.”

Archbishop Brown further said, “For us as a Synodal Church, it doesn’t mean only to celebrate our diversity and unity this evening in November 2024; it also means to look back and realize we are walking in a procession with people in front of us, those who have gone before us. We celebrate the 75 years since the erection of the prelature nullius (1949), which then led to the diocese (1966), and then archdiocese (1970) of Davao… and all the priests who labored here, coming from different countries, and the people from different places who came here to evangelize the people in this part of Mindanao. We thank God for those people tonight as we think of them; in heaven, we can imagine them looking at us right now, seeing us walking in their footsteps.” Archbishop Brown asked especially the lay people “to think of the faith of your parents and the faith of your grandparents and the way they lived their faith… such a beautiful testimony, and that we rejoice this evening as we say, ‘Thank you, God, for the 75 years of faith, hope, and love in the Archdiocese of Davao.'”

Archbishop Brown concluded with words of gratitude for being with the people of Davao, “culminating in this magnificent celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Davao.” He asked everyone to pray for Pope Francis, whose heart is so close to the Filipino people. His final words were for Mama Mary, asking for her intercession, as he closed with a final blessing to everyone around, “God bless you.”

The entire program was made more colorful with the presentation of historical accounts of the creation of the Archdiocese of Davao in a rich, artistic, zarzuela-like play of movements, words, and melody by students, seminarians, and the clergy. Diverse tribal backgrounds, which Davao is known for, added more color to the historical landscape.

Among all the presentations, one that particularly captivated the audience was the group singing of the Davao clergy of the song Adlaw nga Halandumon, which means “Memorable Day,” led by the shepherd himself, Archbishop Romulo Valles. This powerful rendition left a lasting impression on everyone, evoking an emotional sense of unity and gratitude for the journey the Archdiocese has had.

“The Dabawenyo people, in spite of their cultural and traditional differences, have lived together in peace and harmony, as concretized in the yearly observance of the Kadayawan Festival, which in itself is a showcase of peace-bringing qualities inherent to the local Church’s humanist and Christic stewardship.” (Fr. William J. Malley, SJ, himself a recipient of the prestigious Datu Bago Award for his exemplary contribution to the pastoral and religious formation of the Archdiocese of Davao). (Cynthia C. Chu, MAT-RE | Photos by Pio Angelo Bañez)