The First Mass in Kamuning: 1940–2025 | 85 Years Ago

In the early years of Kamuning, community life was marked by simplicity, scarcity, and quiet perseverance. As recalled by Purificacion de la Paz, “In December 1940, a few months after the first family moved in, there were only 500 families living in Kamuning.” 

This photo was taken after the BEC Mass held on December 18, 2025, at the newly constructed Kamuning Public Market—the site of the first Mass in Kamuning, celebrated 85 years ago on Christmas Eve, 1940. The BEC Mass was presided over by Fr. Randy Flores, SVD (Parish Priest), with Rev. Jin Bao Hu, SVD (Deacon).

These pioneer residents were mostly young government employees who were just beginning family life. Kamuning at that time was “very small.” While basic commercial life had begun to emerge—most notably with Kamuning Bakery, which was already operating by 1939—the area remained largely undeveloped.

De la Paz describes the starkness of daily life in clear terms. Aside from a single store, “known as Guevara’s Store,” there was “no public market, no drugstore, no school, no church, no recreation center. There was simply no place to go.” The absence of communal and spiritual spaces underscored the provisional character of the settlement, even as families slowly took root.

In time, the residents recognized the need for collective action. Meetings were held to plan for the common good, leading to the establishment of the Kamuning Residents’ Association. According to de la Paz, “Within a month after its organization, the new association had a program of activities.” Central among these was a plan of profound symbolic and spiritual importance: “a plan to hold the first Christmas celebration in the area.” Implicit in this initiative was the desire to celebrate the Eucharist, despite the absence of a church.

Kamuning Public Market ca. 1960 (Photo credit: FB Page "Memories of Old Manila and Beyond")

As a member of the Social Committee, de la Paz was entrusted with the task of securing ecclesiastical permission. Together with a small delegation from Kamuning, she approached Michael O’Doherty, then Archbishop of Manila, on December 22, 1940 (exactly 85 years ago). The response was discouraging. The Archbishop explained, “It is easy to give a permit if the Pope were only here in the Philippines. We need to get the permit from Rome and it would take a week or more even by cablegram.” Faced with the prospect of delay, the delegation returned disheartened.

Seeking further guidance, they passed by Christ the King Mission Seminary, where they were told that “they could not officiate an open air Mass without permit from the Ecclesiastical authorities.” At this critical juncture, de la Paz resolved to pursue another avenue. She later wrote, “With the help perhaps of the Blessed Mother,” she decided to approach the Apostolic Delegate to the Philippines, Guglielmo Piani.

Appealing humbly on behalf of the residents and explaining their spiritual need, she was met with an unexpected response. “Fortunately, he granted the permit.” When news of this approval reached Christ the King Seminary, the priests and seminarians reacted with surprise and joy, for, as de la Paz observed, “a permit for an open air Mass is rarely given.”

Preparations for the historic celebration immediately began. “Everyone in the Seminary helped to prepare for the Mass,” she recalled. The Mass was scheduled for Christmas Eve and was to be held at the “Rest House,” located on the site now occupied by the Kamuning Market. Seminarians and priests transported a portable altar and all the necessary liturgical items, “including the Mass hymns.” The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Hermann Kondring, SVD, then Rector of the Seminary.

BEC Christmas Fellowship. In the photo are Fr. Randy Flores, SVD, and Mila Luna, Head of BEC Obrero, together with members of other BECs—Kamuning, Sacred Heart, and South Triangle.  BEC Head Minister: Mon Arguelles; PPC Head: Dindo Bunag .  Taken on December 22, 2025.

Thus, on December 24, 1940—eighty-five years ago—the First Mass in Kamuning was celebrated. In a community that had no church building and only the most modest beginnings of commercial life, the Eucharist became the first enduring center of communal identity. What began as an open-air Christmas Mass marked the birth of organized Catholic life in Kamuning, affirming that the Church is first established not by structures, but by faith, shared hope, and the gathering of God’s people around the altar.

Source:

Purificacion de la Paz, “The First Mass in Kamuning,” in Age of Gold, ed. Angelo de los Reyes (Antipolo: Eugraphics Services, 1991), 21; cited in Shepherding a Parish: Collaboration in an SVD Mission Sacred Heart Parish Shrine Kamuning, by Michael Layugan, SVD (Logos, 2017), pp. 121–123.