History of the Diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan encompasses the southern part of Caloocan City, Malabon City, and Navotas City. It is a vibrant community that has grown significantly since its inception.

Territory

South Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas

Patron Saint

San Roque (St. Roch)

The Journey of Our Diocese

January 24, 1571

Manila Origin

On January 24, 1571, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi founded the City of Manila.
Joaquin, Nick (1990). Manila My Manila. Vera-Reyes, Inc. p. 137, 178.

February 6, 1579

Establishment of Diocese of Manila

Diocese of Manila was established
Aluit, Alfonso (1994). By Sword and Fire: The Destruction of Manila in World War II 3 February – 3 March 1945. Philippines: National Commission for Culture and the Arts. pp. 83–85

August 14, 1595

Elevation to Archdiocese and Creation of New Dioceses

Pope Clement VIII raised the Diocese to the status of an Archdiocese. Creation of the three new dioceses: Nueva Caceres, Nueva Segovia and Cebu.
“History – The Second Cathedral 1591-1600”. Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica Official Website. Retrieved on 2013-03-22.

May 3, 1572

Founding of Tondo Church

Tondo Church was established by the Augustinian Friars. Fray Alonzo Alvarado, OSA was the first minister.
Mendoza, Rose Marie. “History of Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish Church”. The Many Faces of Tondo Parish.

May 21, 1599

Origins of Malabon (Tambobong)

Malabon, formerly known as Tambobong, was founded by the Augustinians as a visita of Tondo. However, it must have existed previously, as one document clearly indicates. The town was composed of two small islands, Nabotas and Maysilo, both visitas of Tondo.
Galende, P. 1996. Angels in Stone: Augustinian Churches in the Philippines. Intramuros, Manila: San Agustin Museum San Agustin, Gaspar de, O.S.A., “Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas…”, Parte Primera, El Manuel Merino, O.S.A., Madrid, 1975, p.668

May 17, 1614

Malabon Parish under San Bartolome

The visita in Malabon became an independent parish under the avocation of San Bartolome Apostol. It was in this year that Fr. Luis Gutierrez, OSA was named vicar prior. During this year, the convent was relieved from paying any taxes to San Agustin Monastery “because it was very poor and the stipend given by the King was almost nothing”.
“Libros de Gobierno de la Provincia del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus de Filipinas”, Augustinian Archives, Valladolid, II, folio 58 v.

1765

First Visita in Caloocan

The first visita was established in Caloocan under the parish of Tondo. This was found in the first settlement in Libis Aromahan (Sitio de las Espinas) now known as Libis Espina
Galauran, Fausto. Ang Kasaysayan ng Simbahang Katoliko ng Kalookan. (1964)

April 20, 1771

Navotas Faithful Directed to Tambobong

A decree was made causing the friars to instruct the faithful of Navotas to attend Masses in the adjacent town of Tambobong.
Galende, P. 1996. Angels in Stone: Augustinian Churches in the Philippines. Intramuros, Manila: San Agustin Museum

1791

Fr. Patino Builds Malabon Bridge

Fr. Andres Patino, O.S.A. was assigned as the parish priest of San Bartolome de Malabon. He later supervised the construction of the bridge linking Malabon with Tinajeros. It was during his stint as parish priest that the celebration of Second Centenary of the parish was celebrated.
Jorde, Elviro, “Catalogo bio-biografico de los Religiosos Agustinos de la Provincia del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus de Filipinos…”, Manila, 1901, p. 486-487

April 8, 1815

Canonical Establishment of San Roque Parish

The Christian community in Caloocan was canonically established as the San Roque Parish by the Archbishop of Manila, Juan Antonio de Zulaibar, O.P. Pastoral care was entrusted to the Augustinian Recollects.
Both the accounts of Galauran (1964) and Serrano (with the annotations of Joaquin, 1971, p.5) identify the first parish priest as Fray Manuel Vaquero, OAR - The account of Fr Lleva identifies a certain Fray Manuel de San Miguel, OAR as first parish priest citing the “Libro de Gobierno” of Manila from 1812-1815. There lies the possibility of the latter as the religious name of Fray Manuel Vaquero.

1765

Creation of San Jose de Navotas Parish

1765

First Visita in Caloocan

1765

First Visita in Caloocan

1765

First Visita in Caloocan

June 28, 1859

Creation of San Jose de Navotas

The Archdiocese of Manila decreed on July 1, 1859 the creation of the parish of San Jose de Navotas. The residents of San Jose celebrated this historic occasion that took three decades to realize.

1866

The First Visita Kamalig

The first visita “kamalig” was built as “Visita de Concepcion”.

Source: Immaculate Conception Parish, Parochial History, Ang Munting Kasaysayan, 2001; Bryant, R. 2005. Navotas Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas.

1884

La Loma Catholic Cemetery Opens

La Loma Catholic Cemetery (Formerly Cementerio de Binondo) was opened.

Source: Gaerlan, Martin (2007). “Cementerio de Binondo (La Loma Cemetery)”. Museo Santisima Trinidad.

1899

Refuge During the War

General Antonio Luna sought refuge in the church using the unfinished renovation for church extension at the back as a trench, launching their defense against the Americans.

Source: Galauran, Fausto. Ang Kasaysayan ng Simbahang Katoliko ng Kalookan (1964).

February 10, 1899

The Battle of Caloocan

At the latter part of the Battle of Caloocan, Gen. Luna continued to defend the town from the Americans but at the advance of the foreigners, the Filipinos were forced to give up. Many houses in the town were burned down with the church and the convent left standing. The Americans captured Caloocan and made use of the church as barracks and a field hospital. It was further utilized by the 20th Kansas Regiment under Col. Fredrick Funston.

Source: Galauran, Fausto. Ang Kasaysayan ng Simbahang Katoliko ng Kalookan (1964).

November 26, 1902

Invasion of Visita Concepcion

Iglesia Filipina Independiente invaded the Visita Concepcion.

Source: Immaculate Conception Parish, Parochial History, Ang Munting Kasaysayan, 2001.

November 24, 1906

Return of Visita Concepcion

The Supreme Court ordered the return of custody of the Visita Concepcion to the Roman Catholic Church.

Source: Immaculate Conception Parish, Parochial History, Ang Munting Kasaysayan, 2001.

September 8, 1907

La Purisima Concepcion Erected

By the power of Most Rev. Jeremias Harty, DD, then Archbishop of Manila, he erected the Visita Concepcion as La Purisima Concepcion de Malabon Parish.

Source: Immaculate Conception Parish, Parochial History, Ang Munting Kasaysayan, 2001.

May 1920

First Electric Lights in Navotas

Reddy Kilowatt arrived in Navotas and electric lights were installed in the church for the first time. The young sacristans were overjoyed because they will no longer use the stairs to light the hundreds of candles in the crystal chandeliers.

Source: 1965 San Jose de Navotas Souvenir Program.

1946

Arrival of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate arrived through the invitation of the then Archbishop of Manila, Michael J. O’Doherty.

Source: Sison, C. (n.d.). History – Notre Dame of Greater Manila.

May 5, 1946

Founding of Our Lady of Grace Parish

Our Lady of Grace Parish in Grace Park Caloocan was founded. The first Parish Priest was Fr. Joseph Boyd, OMI.

Source: Records of the Diocese of Kalookan, Chancery office – Profile of Parishes.

June 28, 2003

Elevation to Cathedral

Upon the creation of the new Diocese of Kalookan, the San Roque Parish of Kalookan was elevated to the rank of a cathedral.

Source: “Quoniam Quaelibet”, Papal Bull by Pope St. John Paul II establishing the Diocese of Kalookan.

August 22, 2003

First Bishop Takes Possession

The Most Rev. Deogracias S. Iniguez, Jr., D.D, the first Bishop of Kalookan, took possession of the cathedral church. Msgr. Boanarges Lechuga, PC, was the first rector of the cathedral.

Source: Lleva, Edgardo. “A Glimpse of History: San Roque through the Decades” (2004).

August 16, 2013

10th Anniversary & First Relic

The Diocese of Kalookan celebrated its 10th Anniversary in the cathedral church with a Eucharistic Celebration offered by His Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop-emeritus of Manila. Most Rev. Guiseppe Pinto, D.D., then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines was among the concelebrants. The cathedral’s first relic of San Roque was received in this Eucharistic Celebration.

2014

San Bartolome Quadricentennial

The commemoration of the 400 years’ anniversary of the San Bartolome Parish was celebrated. During the year’s celebration, the parish church was rededicated; the perpetual adoration chapel, the St. John XXIII Hall, the Quadricentennial stage and arch were inaugurated and blessed last May 10, 2014 headed by the Most Rev. Bernardito Auza, D.D. – the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti.

2015

San Roque Bicentennial Anniversary

The Bicentennial Anniversary of San Roque Parish’s canonical establishment was celebrated with a Jubilee Year. Pope Francis imparted plenary indulgence for all those who would make pilgrimage to the cathedral church. The Jubilee Door was solemnly opened on this day by Kalookan’s then Apostolic Administrator, Most Rev. Francisco M. De Leon, D.D.

January 2, 2016

Second Bishop Takes Possession

The Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D. took possession of the cathedral church as the second Bishop of Kalookan. He also assumed the position of parish priest.

2019

160th Founding Anniversary of San Jose de Navotas

To mark the celebration of its 160th founding anniversary, His Holiness, Pope Francis, appointed San Jose de Navotas Parish as a Jubilee Church. The opening of the Jubilee Door was presided by Most. Rev. Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan. The Parish Museum was opened, and the Municipal Government of Navotas declared San Jose de Navotas Parish Church as a local heritage site of the town through City Ordinance No. 2019-06.

February 25, 2021

500 Years of Christianity

A decree issued to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) by Pope Francis granted plenary indulgences to Filipinos visiting any of over 500 Jubilee Churches across the country to mark 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Diocese of Kalookan declared San Bartolome Parish, San Roque Cathedral Parish, and the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose as their jubilee churches.

Looking to the Future

Today, the Diocese of Kalookan continues to grow, adapting to the modern needs of its urban parishioners while remaining steadfast in its mission of evangelization and social justice.