Pope Francis celebrates the 500th anniversary of the first mass in Chile

Pope Francis urged Catholics in Chile on Monday to renew their gratitude for the gift of the Eucharist in a letter celebrating the 500th anniversary of the country's first Mass.

The pope noted in a November 9 letter that Chileans were unable to observe the anniversary with large-scale events due to coronavirus restrictions.

"However, even in the midst of this limit, there is no obstacle that can silence the gratitude that flows from the hearts of all of you, sons and daughters of the pilgrim Church in Chile, who with faith and love renew their commitment to Lord, in the sure hope that he will continue to accompany their journey throughout history ”, he wrote.

"I encourage you to live the celebration of the Eucharistic Mystery, which unites us to Jesus, in a spirit of adoration and thanksgiving to the Lord, because it is for us the principle of new life and unity, which impels us to grow in fraternal service to the poorest and disinherited of our society “.

The pope addressed the letter to Bishop Bernardo Bastres Firenze of Punta Arenas, the southernmost Catholic diocese of Chile, where the first mass was held.

Vatican News reported that Bishop Bastres read the letter during a mass on November 8 on the occasion of the 500th anniversary.

Fr Pedro de Valderrama, chaplain of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, celebrated his first mass on 11 November 1520 in the bay of Fortescue, on the shores of the Strait of Magellan.

Pope Francis said the 500th anniversary was an epochal event not only for the diocese of Puntas Arenas, but also for the entire Chilean Church.

Quoting from the “Sacrosanctum concilium”, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, he said: “It is above all from the Eucharist, as the Second Vatican Council reminds us, that“ grace is poured out on us; and the sanctification of men in Christ and the glorification of God ... is obtained in the most effective way possible '”.

"For this reason, in this fifth centenary we can rightly affirm, as the motto of the Diocese of Punta Arenas says, that 'God entered from the South', because that first Mass celebrated with faith, in the simplicity of an expedition to a territory then unknown, it gave birth to the Church on pilgrimage to that beloved nation “.

The pope noted that the Chileans had been preparing intensely for the anniversary. The official celebrations began two years ago with a Eucharistic procession in the city of Punta Arenas.

"I accompany you with remembrance in prayer, and as I invoke the protection of the Mother of God on the beloved Church in Chile, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to you," he wrote.