Lecture Notes: The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines

Introduction

• Discussion topic: Location of the first mass in the Philippines.
• Controversy: Is it in Li Masawa or Masao?
• Historical context: First mass celebrated on Philippine soil.

Historical Background

• Date of First Mass: March 31, 1521 (Easter Sunday).
• Celebrant: Father Pedro Valderrama, officiated the mass near the shore.
• Significance: Marked the birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.

Key Accounts

• Antonio Pigafetta:
  • Documented the mass in his chronicles.
  • Noted that mass was celebrated on Easter Sunday but failed to mention other masses held during the journey.
• Francisco Albo:
  • Did not mention the first mass but referenced the planting of a cross on a mountaintop.

Ongoing Controversy

• Current Beliefs:
  • Many historians and the government believe the first mass took place in Li Masawa.
  • Previous belief (up to the 19th century) pointed to Masao as the location.
• National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP):
  • Concluded that evidence to reverse earlier findings was insufficient.
  • Historical context up to 1543 supports Li Masawa as the site.

Importance of the Event

• Dr. Antonio Sanchez de Mora emphasized the significance of this mass as a landmark.
• Primary Sources:
  • 16th-century documents confirmed the Easter Sunday mass at Mazawa.
  • Accounts by survivors and other primary sources categorized into four groups for better understanding.

Impact on Philippine History

• Significance of Pigafetta’s work:
  • First western description of the peoples and languages in the Philippines.
• Cultural Heritage:
  • Understanding this event is crucial for the Filipino identity as a predominantly Christian nation.

Conclusion

• Final Verdict: Evidence leans towards Li Masawa as the site of the first mass, not Masao.
• Importance of commemoration: Indicates the start of Christianity in the Philippines.
• Encouragement to study history for cultural understanding and preservation.

Closing

• Thanked the audience for their attention and participation.