ORLANDO | A sea of faithful Catholic men and women in traditional Filipino clothing filled the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe July 27, 2025. The community celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Filipino Ministry in the Diocese of Orlando and the feast of Our Lady of Antipolo, also known as Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

Honoring the occasion was Filipino Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Delegate for Pope Leo XIV in Jerusalem and Palestine, Bishop John Noonan and clergy from around the diocese.

“(This day) means a lot since we’re able to witness the growth of the Filipino community, the collaboration between the laity and the Filipino clergy, and how we’ve been able to blossom as a community,” said ministry liaison Father Kenny Aquino, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wildwood. “We’re also honoring the founding fathers, per se — Father Peter Puntal (who died June 11, 2024) and Father Felicito Bebe (who died August 3, 2023) — who made sure this started, and Archbishop Thomas Wenski who urged us to form this ministry.”

Twenty-seven parishes in the diocese have active Filipino ministries. More than a dozen Filipino communities from around the region processed into the sanctuary alongside a statue of Our Lady.

For Dennis Falcasantos, of St. Joseph Parish in Orlando, it was the first time he led his community, originally from Zamboanga, the only place where Spanish is spoken in all of Asia.

“Celebrating our faith and our culture is a big deal. That is our identity,” he said.

At 17, Vince Piealgo admitted he was a little intimidated by the crowd.

“All I am is an altar server at our parish, but I feel very proud to be wielding this banner for our community and showing presence.” The member of the Ministry of Filipinos from Brevard County at Divine Mercy Parish in Merritt Island arrived in the United States at the age of 5. “I didn’t really have a cultural tether to my heritage. But being here with this community has helped me regain a little bit more of my heritage and my culture. I feel really proud to call myself Filipino.”

In Winter Haven for more than 40 years, Laura Jain recalled the start of the ministry and helped launch many events, from Paring Pinoy (the singing priests) to celebrations of Simbang Gabi. She beamed with pride when she spoke of the growth of the Filipino community in Central Florida.

Acknowledging Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is known for protecting galleons and those aboard trade ships in the 1600s, she said, “(Our Lady) is a source of protection for me, not just for an actual trip, but my journey in this country from immigrant to citizen. Then from that to a member of the community at large.”

In his homily, Archbishop Yllana expressed gratitude “for all of us as Church, having received the mandate and mission of witnessing the faith. We thank God for having sustained us for being a witness to faith that we share with those who believe and may come to believe” and for expanding the Kingdom of God in the diocese. “May we continue to walk in unity, serve in love, and profess the Gospel with joy. As you celebrate these 20 years of engagement in the diocese, you have knocked on the doors of service, you have sought opportunities to share your faith, to witness it; and you have asked God for the strength to persevere,” he said.

He lauded the priests who “responded to the radical call, to a total belonging to the Lord,” noting how they left their country and customs to serve, administer the Sacraments and accompany others.

The first Christian missionaries arrived in the Philippines in 1521. The archbishop celebrated the Filipino spirit for its receptiveness to the Gospel. “A submissive land has, over time, become a fruitful land of missionaries generating countless priestly and religious vocations that have spread to every corner of the world,” he said. “You, our Filipino priests, are the living embodiment of the mission embraced in Christ’s command, ‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.’”

Recalling the Filipino patroness honored that day, Our Lady of Antipolo, and how her presence on six galleons kept the ships and passengers safe, he claimed her presence and pastoral commitment for accompanying the Filipino migrants throughout their journeys and challenges.

“It is she who accompanied them to this new world, protecting them and guiding them. Her presence is a beacon of hope, a constant reminder of the peace only Christ can give and of the good journey that leads us on to the Father’s house,” he said. “Under the protective mantle of the Blessed Mother, the Filipino Ministry of Orlando has flourished in faith, hope, and charity.”

Imparting final words, Bishop Noonan thanked the Filipino community for their faith and witness. He said, “May you be shining lights – light that shows the rest of the world that —where you, the Filipinos are, there will be peace, there will be hope, and there will be love.”

Watch a reel here of the celebration here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, July 31, 2025