The 525th anniversary of the celebration of the first Catholic Mass on the American continent was commemorated in the Dominican Republic on Saturday.
The first Mass was celebrated on 6th January, 1494, in La Isabela, Puerto Plata, by priest, Bernardo Boil, who was part of the entourage of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’ second trip to the continent.
Agenzia Fides reports that about 10,000 people were expected to attend celebrations including a papal envoy and local church representatives. The Mass marked the culimination of a year of special celebrations commemorating the event.
Mgr Corniel Amaro, the Bishop of Puerto Plata, said prior to the event that the first Mass was celebrated, not only for its bringing a “catechesis of faith for the natives” but also for its bringing a “great missionary work for education, health, charitable works and respect for the dignity of life”.
“Christian preachers such as Montesinos denounced the trafficking and ill-treatment carried out by the Spaniards on the natives. We still live the benefits of the proclamation of the Gospel today.”
