The Mass was presided over by Fr. Lorenzo Goyeneche, joined by the current chaplain, Fr. Jerónimo Paat, other Divine Word Missionaries, and many Filipino faithful. The community, well organized in pastoral and social ministries, participated enthusiastically. Newly arrived Filipino migrants, who continue to come to Madrid in significant numbers, also joined the celebration and found a place of welcome and accompaniment within the Chaplaincy.

During the homily, special and grateful remembrance was given to the origins of the Chaplaincy. It recalled the moment when the Archdiocese of Madrid opened its doors to Filipino migrants and requested the Divine Word Missionaries to assume this pastoral service—an initiative that originated from a proposal made by D. Antonio Martínez, then responsible at the diocesan level, to the Society of the Divine Word.

According to historical documents, “the first meeting took place on February 27, 1985, in Madrid, with the Most Rev. Agustín Gasco, Auxiliary Bishop, acting on behalf of the Most Rev. Ángel Suquía Goicoechea, Cardinal-Archbishop of Madrid-Alcalá; and on behalf of the Society of the Divine Word, Fr. Lorenzo Goyeneche, then Provincial Superior.”

In that meeting, it was agreed to entrust the pastoral care of Filipinos to two Divine Word Missionaries, who would serve as chaplains in the relevant vicariates to support pastoral integration and respond to the needs of migrants. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Chaplaincy expressed gratitude to its first two chaplains, Fr. Romeo Castro and Fr. Felipe Flores, for their dedicated service to this mission.