Calayan Mission: A Hidden Treasure of the Order of Preachers

CALAYAN MISSION: A HIDDEN TREASURE OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS
Fr. Stephen Mari La Ja, OP

Calayan Mission is indeed a hidden treasure of the Order of Preachers in terms of geographical location; historical accounts; pastoral challenges and opportunities; and rich experiences of Dominican missionaries in the Babuyanes Islands. 

Façade of St. Bartholomew Church, Calayan Island

Geographical Location
As a mission station of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, Calayan is located in the northernmost section of Luzon within 19°16 N 121°29 E/19.27°N 121.48°E/19.27; 121.48 of the Philippine Archipelago. The Parish of St. Bartholomew is composed of three islands: Calayan (19,690 hectares), Dalupiri (hacienda, 7,605 hectares), and Babuyan Claro (9,355); with a total land area of 36,650 hectares. Calayan and Dalupiri Islands are comprised of predominantly Ilocano speakers. Babuyan Claro belongs to the Ivatan people.

Historical Values
According to historical records, the name of Calayan was given by Dominican missionaries. When Br. Andres Sanchez, OP and Br. Geronimo Morer, OP visited the Island in 1616 as part of their mission, they noticed the abundance of ginger locally known as laya. The priests then called the island as Calayaan, where laya abounds. As time passed, Calayaan simply became Calayan. 

The Babuyanes Mission was accepted by the Holy Rosary Province in 1619, during its Provincial Chapter in Lallo, Cagayan. The said chapter appointed Br. Morer as the Vicar of Babuyanes. He was tasked to oversee the construction of the church and convent in Fuga Island. The church was later dedicated to St. Ursula as its patron saint. Some years later, Br. Morer died while completing his missionary duties. 

Br. Francis Ferdinand de Capillas, OP replaced Br. Morer, and became first parish priest of St. Ursula in 1639. Together with him was Br. Martin Real dela Cruz, OP. Br. Capillas was later martyred in China in 1648, and was declared saint by Pope John Paul II in October 2000. Little was known about the events that took place in the islands until the arrival of Br. Diego Penera, OP in 1684. 

For some years, Babuyanes Mission was outside the reach of Dominican missionaries because of World War II, and unstable political situations in the region. However, in April 1952, Br. Florentino Castañon, OP was appointed parish priest, marking the revival of the Catholic faith in the islands. A concrete church was later built at the islands’ población dedicated  to St. Bartholomew. Since then, Dominican missionaries continued to minister in the islands. The following are the missionaries who were assigned in Calayan Island: 

Br. Andres Sanchez, OP---------------------1616 
Br. Geronimo Morer, OP--------------------1616 

Br. Francisco Capillas, OP------------------1639 

Br. Martin Real De La Cruz, OP-----------1639 

Br. Diego Piñera, OP------------------------1684 

Br. Florentino Castañon,OP----------------1952-1959 
Br. Crispin S. Marquese, OP---------------1953-1955 
Br. Juan Lera, OP----------------------------1959-1960 
Br. Benito T. Vargas, OP--------------------1960-1967 
Br. Alejandro Martires, OP-----------------1963-1967 
Br. Gaudencio V. Mondragon, OP---------1965-1966 
Br. Domingo N. Nacion, OP----------------1965-1971 
Br. Wilfredo V. De Leon, OP---------------1968-1969 
Br. Luis M. Almonte, OP-------------------1969-1979 
Br. Eduardo N. Negrete, OP----------------1971-1977 

Br. Jesse M. Lorete, OP---------------------1978-1980 

Br. Reynaldo J. Adalid, OP-----------------1980 

Fr. Antonino Raagas (Secular Priest)------1980 
Br. Gaudencio V. Mondragon, OP---------1981-1982 
Br. Gregory F. Doherty, OP-----------------1983-2012 
Br. Albert C. Bagood, OP-------------------1985-1986 

Br. Arturo P. Pestin, OP----------------------1986-1987 

Br. Roberto G. Reyes, OP-------------------1987-1988 

Br. Raul A. Marterior, OP-------------------1994-1995 

Br. Gerard C. Zabala, OP--------------------1995-1996 

Br. Jeffrey G. Balde, OP---------------------1997-2000 

Br. Jaime C. Alamillo, OP-------------------1997-2000 

Br. Patricio P. Hiwatig, OP------------------1999-2002 

Br. Joseph R. Raquid, OP--------------------2002-2005 

Br. Gallardo A. Bombase, Jr., OP-----------2002-2005 

Br. Dennis E. Maquiraya, OP----------------2005-2009 

Br. Charles Moises L. Barrientos, OP------2005-2007 

Br. Raymund Fernando P. Jose, OP---------2009-2010 
Br. Jessie R. Yap, OP--------------------------2009-2010 

Br. Jaime C. Alamillo, OP--------------------2010-2013 

Br. Melchor E. Saria, OP----------------------2013-2014 

Br. Paul Lovell G. Javier, OP-----------------2014-2016 

Br. Rudolf Steven N. Seño, OP---------------2014-2016 

Br. Noel Kristoffer R. Castor, OP------------2016-2018 

Br. Ramiro M. Be Belen, OP------------------2016-2018 

Br. Rommel P. Olivar, OP----------------------2018-2020 

Br. Stephen Mari La Ja, OP--------------------2019-2021 

Br. Carlo Rey C. Canto, OP--------------------2018-2021 

Br. Reynor E. Munsayac, OP (Present)

Fr. La Ja, OP poses for a group photo with some youth in Calayan Island.

Pastoral Challenges and Opportunities
The challenges for doing pastoral works in the Calayan Mission are the long geographical distances from one island to another; unpredictable changes of weather; high waves; dangerous sea travel; muddy and slippery roads; poor communication channels; and difficult transportation of Church building materials, medicines, groceries, and other necessities from the mainland. 

The pastoral opportunities in Calayan Mission are the celebration of Sunday and daily Masses in St. Bartholomew Parish, and other 17 Barangay and Sitio Chapels (St. Anthony of Padua Chapel in Sibang, Our Lady of Piat Chapel in Dadao, Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag Chapel in Centro II, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel in Cabudadan, Sta. Elena Chapel in Magsidel, San Roque Chapel in Macarra, Our Lady of Piat Chapel in Kataruman, Our Lady of Piat Chapel in Cabirawan, St. Joseph the Husband of Mary Chapel in Dibay, Our Lady of Piat Chapel in Pilid, St. James of Compostela Chapel in Banua, San Isidro Labrador Chapel in Narvacan, St. Anthony of Padua Chapel in Dilam Rarasi, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Dilam East, Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Maramara, St. James of Compostela Chapel in Dalupiri, and San Dionisio Chapel in Babuyan Claro). Parishioners from these chapels have actively participated in the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, especially during the Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo Novena Masses. 

In addition, catechesis, sacramental ministries, and spiritual direction to different parish organizations (Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist, Knights of the Altar, lectors and commentators, Basic Christian Communities, Catholic Women’s League (CWL), Block Rosary Units, Legion of Mary Seniors, Legion of Mary Juniors, and Dominican Youth Council of Calayan) are also pastoral opportunities for missionaries. 

Mission Experiences
As a young Dominican priest, I was excited to go and share the Gospel with our brothers and sisters in the Babuyanes Islands. However, in the beginning of my assignment, while preparing for my journey, I was a bit worried for the dangerous sea travel and my unfamiliarity with the Ilocano dialect. It was a relief on my part when I learned that my companions in my mission assignment would be my batchmates, who speak Ilocano: Br. Rommel P. Olivar, OP and Br. Carlo Rey C. Canto, OP. 

By the grace of God, on January 29, 2019, I was able to reach the beautiful Island of Calayan safely. Right on my first day, I was mesmerized to see such a magnificent and world-class St. Bartholomew Church and its convent. After some days, I started to celebrate the Holy Mass with the people. 

During my first months, I discovered that Calayanos are simple, honest, hospitable and God-fearing people. They have a high respect for Catholic priests. 

After some time, I was able to make some friends in the island. We talked about life, and through the friendship we built, they opened their deepest burdens to me voluntarily asking for my prayers and pieces of advice. 

I was able to work with the Dominican Youth, CWL members, Legion of Mary, and the Dilam Grand Choir. With them, I started to invite young adults to join the Sitio Masses and Bible study. We shared personal stories as well as thoughts and ideas in a friendly manner. And with the help of some friends, I even initiated the construction and renovation of some chapels in the sitios. 

There are still so many people around us that seek to know Jesus. I believe that by reaching out these people, we are doing our mission of saving the souls of sinners. 

The richness of religious life and the long history of Dominican presence in the island, both unknown to many brothers of the Province, make our Calayan Mission one of the hidden treasures of the Order.

Source: Phildom, January-March 2021