First Solemn Pontifical Mass by a ruling Filipino bishop in his diocese since 1970
On April 27, 2010, feast of St. Peter Canisius, His Excellency Antonio Tobias, Bishop of Novaliches, offered Solemn Pontifical Mass in the convent chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate in his diocese. He was assisted by priests and brothers belonging to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.
This Mass is only the second Solemn Pontifical Mass to be celebrated by a Filipino bishop since September 14, 2007 (the first one had been offered by Bishop Camilo Gregorio of the Prelature of Batanes on September 14, 2008 — see this for a report on that Mass), and the first to be offered by a Filipino Ordinary in his own diocese since 1970.
Bishop Tobias had offered Solemn Pontifical Mass for the 2003 international colloquium of the Centre International d’Etudes Liturgiques in France, and a “Low Mass with Solemnity” last year, also in the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate.
