Below is the letter sent by Pope Francis on November 9, 2020, to Bishop Bernardo Bastres Florence, S.D.B., of Punta Arenas, and to all the dioceses of Chile on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the first Mass on Chilean territory. That first Mass was celebrated on November 11, 1520, by Fray Pedro de Valderrama, one of the chaplains for the expedition of Portuguese explorer Hernando de Magallanes.
Letter of the Holy Father
To His Most Reverend Excellency
Mgr Bernardo BASTRES FLORENCE, S.D.B.
Bishop of Punta Arenas
Dear brother:
I cordially greet you, as well as all the other brother bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful of all the dioceses of Chile, as they commemorate the celebration of the first Eucharist on Chilean territory this coming November 11. This is a historic date, not only for the Diocese of Punta Arenas but for the entire Catholic Church in Chile, because five hundred years ago, on November 11, 1520, Divine Providence willed that, in the Cerro Monte Cruz, in the Strait of Magellan, the sacrifice of the Holy Mass be offered for the first time in those lands, by the priest Pedro de Valderrama, chaplain of the expedition of Hernando de Magallanes.
It is above all from the Eucharist, as the Second Vatican Council reminds us, that “as from a font, grace is poured forth upon us; and the sanctification of men in Christ and the glorification of God … is achieved” (Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10). For this reason, in this fifth centenary, we can rightly say, as the motto of the diocese of Punta Arenas states, that «God entered from the South», because that first Mass celebrated with faith, in the simplicity of an expedition in a then-unknown territory, initiated the Church that continues to carry out her pilgrimage in that beloved nation.
As a particular Church, you have long prepared for this special date. But the pandemic, which affects the whole world, and is a cause of suffering and death for millions of our brothers and sisters, prevents you from celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first Eucharist with large-scale liturgical acts, as you would have wished to do. However, even with this limitation, nothing can obstruct 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 your dedication to the Lord, in the sure hope that He will continue to accompany your journey throughout history. I encourage you to live the celebration of the Eucharistic Mystery, which unites us to Jesus, with 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 most disinherited of our society.
I spiritually join all of you, dear pastors and faithful of the holy people of God, in thanking the Lord who in the Eucharist continues to make Himself the «bread» that satisfies the deepest hunger of every man and woman, calling everyone in His love to live a brotherhood that is in solidarity and effective, that does not exclude, that does not oppress, that does not ignore.
May Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Model of the Church and Help of Christians, teach them to trust in the Lord and to do His will, in love and in justice, in order to witness to the world the joy of the Gospel.
I accompany you with remembrance in prayer, and while I invoke the protection of the Mother of God on that beloved Church in Chile, I heartily impart to you the Apostolic Blessing.
And please do not forget to pray for me.
Fraternally,
FRANCIS
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 9 November 2020
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
