Name: Austria, Clarence jay D.

BSIT 201 C

Limasawa: Site of the First Mass

Just days after Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in the Philippines on March 30, 1521, the first
Catholic mass was celebrated there. This is regarded as the start of Roman Catholicism in this nation.
It was initially contemplated on the island of Limasawa, which is located in the province of Leyte. Some
historians contend that the misunderstanding resulted from a translation error. Nevertheless, for many
years, various Filipinos, including experts in education, history, religion, and other professions, have
debated the location of the Easter Sunday "First Mass," with both Butuan City and Limasawa claiming
to be the site of this significant religious ritual. Strong evidence points to Masaua in Butuan rather than
Limasawa in Samar-Leyte as the location of our nation's first mass. It discusses the lives of early
explorers, depictions of the islands and their inhabitants, their histories, and records of Catholic
missions, as well as the political, economic, cultural, and religious aspects of the nation. However, there
are indisputable firsthand accounts from people who were present at the time, including Antonio
Pigafetta, the journey's official historian, Gines de Mafra, a founding member of Magellan's crew who
returned to Spain and reported on what he discovered in Masaua, and additional credible evidence.
Geographic information and the absence of any mention of the river that describes Masaua Island
suggest that the first mass took place at Limasawa (Abatayo, 2019).
Father Francisco Colin S.J., a historian, According to (1592-1660), Magellan reached Butuan,
Limasawa, and Cebu in that order. Author Father Francisco Combes S.J. is a Jesuit. presents a unique
viewpoint. Magellan reportedly made two trips to Limasawa. His story states that Magellan's voyage
traveled from Limasawa to Butuan, then made their way back to Limasawa before arriving in Cebu on
April 7th, 1521. Another assertion made in 1698 by a Calabrian named Giovanni Franceso Gemeili
Careri reinforced the idea that the first mass did not occur in Butuan because of the incorrect date
provided (Bernad, 1983). Only a few slight deviations from the Butuan tradition's norms can be
considered odd (Makabenta, 2019).
The first mass in the Philippines was held on Limasawa Island in the Visayas on March 31, 1521,
despite the fact that the Limasawa tradition began soon after Butuan. Because there isn't enough
evidence to sustain the Butuan tradition, historians constructed the magnificent Limasawa tradition in
its place. It was also established that Magellan and his soldiers had left a crucifix there. (2006) Cebu
Living Unlike the other tradition, this one is supported by a variety of reliable sources, like as Albo's
journal, information from Pigafetta, and Legazpi's expedition.
Albo left out any information about the initial mass's location or when it occurred. The cross that
is currently referred to as Magellan's cross was built by Magellan and his troops. As a result, Limasawa,
not Butuan, is where Roman Catholicism originated. Due to the fact that these individuals participated
in the voyage, they are strong pieces of evidence (Bernad, 1983). Albo and Pigafetta were part of
Magellan's expedition.
 REFERENCE
batayo, R. (2019, November 13). Limasawa or Butuan? Debates continue on wherefirst Mass
was held. https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/270037/limasawa-or-butuan-debates-continue-on-
where-first-mass-was-held#ixzz6ZoENlKCP
Antonio Pigafetta. The First Voyage around the World 1519–1522: An. Account of Magellan's
Expedition. Ed. Theodore J. Cachey, Jr.
Bernad S.J. Butuan or Limasawa? The site the First Mass in the Philippines: A Reexamination
of the Evidence. National Book Store. 1983.
Cebu Living: The good life in the Beautiful Island. http://living.cebunetwork.com/article/magellan-
cross-cebu/. May 4, 2006.Cimagala, Roy. (2018, June 7). Where did the first Mass in the Philippines
take place? Panay News. https://www.panaynews.net/where-did-the-first-mass-in-the-philippines-take-
place/
Makabenta, y. (2019, January 31). The Manila Times. Magellan Never Went to Butuan.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/01/31/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/Magellan-never-went-to-
butuan/504604
Mayol, A.V & Gabieta, J. (2020, August 21). Limasawa, not Butuan, affirmed as site of first Mass
in PH. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1325039/limasawa-not-butuan-affirmed-as-site-of-
first-mass-in-ph
Rolando O. Borrinaga. The right place for disputed first Mass in Limasawa.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20070414
60362/The_right_place_for_disputed_first_Mass_in_Limasawa. April 14, 2007.