Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian of Bangued celebrates Mass for the 200th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Abra province’s Pidigan town on May 12, 2023. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
By Fr. Louiegene Arnold Q. Valdez
May 19, 2023
Bangued, Abra
The Immaculate Conception Parish in Pidigan, a town in the northern Philippines of Abra, recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, commemorating how the seed of Christian faith was planted, nurtured, and evolved as a beacon of hope for many people.
Led by Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian of Bangued, and assisted by the diocesan and SVD priests from Abra and other nearby dioceses, the bicentenary festivities held on May 12 commenced with a Mass.
Focusing on gratitude, jubilation, and love, the bishop, in his homily, urged the faithful to value and protect life, just as how the Blessed Mary cared for and protected Pidigan for 200 years.
“The Lord has blessed Pidigan with overflowing blessings, so we should rejoice and be jubilant. From the days of preparation to today’s celebration, we journey as a ‘Synodal Church’. As a fruit of 200 years of Catholic faith, let us live God’s commandment of loving one another,” Jaucian said.
“May the love and care of our primary patroness, the Immaculate Conception, be the same love that we possess. May we become instruments to love, to protect, and to preserve life. Life is a gift from God. Let us not waste it; let us not take life in our own hands. Protect life because it is a gift of God to us,” he said.
The history of Catholic faith in the mountainous province dates back when Augustinian Fr. Bernardo Lago arrived in the pagan-populated Pigidan town on May 14, 1823. Atop a hill by the Abra River, he built a church and a rectory.
The church, however, was destroyed by fire 56 years later. The house of worship had been rebuilt twice by Fr. Jose Foj, OSA, after it was burnt down anew.
With an unwavering zeal for mission, the Augustinian priests reconstructed another church and they served in the parish for 70 years.
Before Pidigan parish reached its centenary in 1919, it was turned over to the SVD missionaries with Fr. Teodoro Schindler, SVD as its first resident priest.
In 1924, Fr. Herman Willems, SVD, repaired the convent, converting the lower portion into Immaculate Conception Elementary School.
On August 14, 1938, the first native priest of Pidigan, Fr. Tomas Pacano, SVD, celebrated his first Mass in the Pidigan Church.
In 1949, St. Mary High School was built and was run by the Benedictine sisters until 1960 when the SSPS sisters came over to assist in its management.
The Immaculate Conception Parish was eventually turned over to the Diocese of Bangued in 1979, with Fr. Nilo Peig as the first diocesan parish priest.
With the bicentennial Jubilee Cross symbolizing the historic event, the celebration had as its theme “Duagasut a Tawen a Panangaywan ni Maria: Panagyaman a Naimposoan, Panagserbi a Nadiosan” (Two Hundred Years of Mary’s Care: Heartfelt Gratitude, Godly Service).
Fr. Cecilio Tupasi, the current parish priest, thanked everyone who helped make the event meaningful and successful.
“All of you, present here or not, may the grace that comes from our celebration of 200 years as a Catholic town come down and overflow in your home and in your family. For more years of grace, I know that we are ready through the guidance of God,” Tupasi said.
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