Northern Samar: Four hundred Years of Evangelization, Four Hundred Years of Christianity

Narration and Photos by Dr. Herbert R.

From my point of view, I would say that the greatest achievement of the Spanish Colonial regime was the evangelization of the Philippine Islands. Despite the difficulties and remoteness of the islands, the Spanish Missionaries were tenacious in their efforts to spread Christianity. Indeed, cultural practices influenced by native religions are still evident among the people in remote places yet the foundations of the gospel have been founded. Evangelization is like building a house. First one has to lay the foundation and later others will build upon it. The Franciscans, Augustinians, Jesuits and Dominicans have effectively laid down the foundation and today with the Church hierarchy fully established there is plenty of room for Building the Body of Christ. The Parish of Las Navas is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Catarman. Bishop Angel Hobayan is the recent Emeritus of the Diocese.

The Facade of the Parish Church of Las Navas. The patron saint of this church is the Nativity of Our Lady. The Church is undergoing renovation. Like many Catholic edifices in the country, building of churches is a localized activity. This means that the local population and the local hierarchy are the ones responsible for completing the project. Unlike in some religions where the building of churches are decided upon and supported by the top level organization, thus funding is more easy. But with the Catholic Church it may be different. Localization of projects like this is also advantageous because it engenders common ownership and thereby serves as the non-monetary incentive for people to care for it as if it is their very own.

The Main Church still undergoing construction and renovation. But despite of the seeming physical incompleteness of the building it exudes the fervent and quiet faith of the Samarenos. A Church of the Poor, bereft of physical amenities but rich in faith and highly favored by the Lord. During our week-long stay in Las Navas, I attended the daily morning mass attended by a handful of parishioners. The church looks spacious and it seems that at that point in time the parish has been implementing the provisions of the Redemptionis Sacramentum as evidenced by the altar arrangement. Notice the six candle holders and the crucifix. The arrangement though is modern.

The Altar, fully compliant with the provisions of the Redemptionis Sacramentum. Notice the Crucifix near the altar and the six candles. The Altar is located at the Center, while the ambo is near the reredo.

The parish church of St. Joseph the Worker, Catubig, N. Samar. Its antiquity is iconic of the faith planted by the Spanish Missionaries who introduced the Samarenos to Christianity. A small but beautiful Church. The Church actually faces the Catubig River, the entry and exit point for those going to the interior villages. Thus one will wonder why the Church was built facing the river. The early Franciscan Missionaries were bent on evangelizing the remote villages in the interior thus they set building this church to face the river, symbolic of their noble intention of reaching even the remotest village to show them the gospel of Christ. Do we still have this kind of missionary spirit? The practice of false ecumenism has dampen the missionary spirit in some people. They thought that all religions are the same and that we should not convert other people because it is offensive as they say it. But if the early missionaries practiced this form of false ecumenism, I doubt whether our people today would have been Catholics. Probably the religion of the Filipinos today would still be animism, since false ecumenism would say, respect other religions, it is offensive to convert other people. But thanks God, the heart of Charity have pushed the early missionaries to introduce the Gospel of Christ to our people.

The right wing of the Church Building. The building although small appears charming and evokes piety and pryaerfulness.

The Interior of the Catubig Church still undergoing repairs and restoration.

The Altar with the Risen Christ at the Center of the reredo