Site of the First Mass

Geoffrey Barraclough noted: "The history we read is not factual at all but a series of accepted judgements."
Primary sources are often inaccessible to everyone, leading to various interpretations of history.

Historians are divided:
- Some advocate for Masau in Butuan as the first site of the mass.
- Others argue that the first mass was celebrated in Limasawa, Southern Leyte.
For nearly three centuries, Butuan was primarily believed to be the site of the first Christian mass. However, with the emergence of new evidence in the 20th century, scholars have reconsidered this position.

Father Francisco Colin S.J. (1592-1660)
- Authored Labor Evangelica, published in Madrid in 1663, three years posthumously.
- Believed to have read Magellan’s expedition accounts, noting similarities in places and events documented.
- Claimed that Magellan celebrated the first mass in Butuan prior to Limasawa.
- Suggested the economic prosperity of Butuan influenced Magellan’s decision to stay.

Historians utilized two primary sources:
1. Log-book of Francisco Albo (Magellan's ship pilot)
2. Book by Antonio Pigafetta (chronicler of the expedition)

Born around 1475 in Italy.
Pilot of Magellan’s flagship.
One of 18 survivors from the Magellan expedition.
His account corroborates Pigafetta’s writings regarding their journey into Philippine waters.

16 March 1521: Expedition sighted Zamal, 300 leagues west of the Ladrones Islands.
17 March: Landed on an uninhabited island named Homonhon, where they found fresh water and indications of gold.
28 March: An island identified as Mazaua was reached, presumably a location for the upcoming mass.
31 March: Mass was celebrated at Mazaua, attended by local chieftains.
4 April: Departure from Mazaua to Cebu, continuing their route.
7 April: Entry into Cebu harbor, one week after the Easter mass.

Two local chiefs attended the mass: the Rajah of Mazaua and the Rajah of Butuan.
Disagreement over the identity of Mazaua:
- One view supports it as Limasawa, while the other considers it Masao at the mouth of the Agusan River near Butuan.

Father Francisco Combes S.J. (1620-1665)
- Wrote Historia de Mindanao y Jolo, published in 1667.
- Notes visits to both Butuan and Limasawa by Magellan.
Combes and Colin both mention arrival in Cebu on April 7, 1521.

19th Century Textbooks: Continued to support the Butuan tradition until the 1920s, correcting prior errors regarding the Marianas Islands.
Rediscovery of Pigafetta’s accounts led to a reassessment of the site of the first mass, transitioning from Butuan to Limasawa.

The alignment of both accounts strongly supports the notion that Mazaua aligns geographically with Limasawa rather than Butuan.
Significant details include:
- Pigafetta’s accounts were based on direct observation and narrate from March 16 to April 7, 1521.
- Albo’s mapping of the routes taken aligns with modern geographic assessments of Limasawa.

In Albo’s Testimony:
- Gada is likely Homonhon (Acquada) from Pigafetta's account.
- Mazaua corresponds to Limasawa based on latitude coordinates noted by Pigafetta and Albo.
From Pigafetta’s Account:
- Emphasizes the geographical location of Mazaua, consistent with Limasawa, not Butuan.
- Accounts of the rajahs imply their territories were distinct, further corroborating geographical evidence.

Collectively, Pigafetta and Albo’s accounts indicate strong support for Limasawa as the location of the first mass:
- Mazaua's latitude aligns more closely with Limasawa than Butuan's.
- Historical context points inconsistently to Butuan, which is situated on a different island.

Regardless of the first mass's location, Butuan maintains historical significance for its early Christian missions and connections with Magellan.
The region was characterized by active trade and political relationships prior to Spanish arrival.

The National Historical Commission endorses Limasawa as the site of the first mass, dismissing claims supporting Butuan as insufficient.
Past studies and explorations reaffirm Limasawa's identification as the location where the mass was officiated by Fr. Pedro Valderrama on March 31, 1521.

The Limasawa mass marks the genesis of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines, a testament to the region's lasting religious and cultural impact.

Celebrations marking 500 years since the 1521 events highlight historical narratives, the impact of Pigafetta's records, and significance of access to primary sources in studying such pivotal historical moments.