The Diocese of Balanga in Bataan will launch a missionary boat today, March 21, to mark the 500th year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country.
“Our missionary boat will go on a pilgrimage in the diocese after our thanksgiving holy mass today, March 21, in celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
The launching of the missionary boat coincides with the observance of the fifth Sunday of Lent today.
Santos said the boat is particularly significant to the diocese because the province is known as a fishing town.
“We choose the boat because Bataan is known as a fishing and farming province. Now, we have many local and national ports and pier here in Bataan,” the bishop said. “We commemorate the 500 years of Christianity with our missionary boat as we received our faith from Spanish missionaries who came to us from Acapulco, Mexico,” he added.
Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown blessed the missionary boat last Feb. 21 during the consecration of a church dedicated to Saint Pope John Paul II in Culis, Hermosa, Bataan.
“The boat was made from wood from which a cross was fashioned and offered by the boat people (refugees) who were visited by Pope John Paul II in Morong, Bataan on February 21, 1981. The missionary boat contains the relic and commemorative medal of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II,” Santos said.