Regular Tagalog Masses for growing Filipino community in Rijeka to start

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RIJEKA, 30 July 2026 – The Rijeka Archdiocese will begin holding regular Masses in Tagalog from October to serve the spiritual needs of the city’s growing Filipino community.

The initiative was launched at the request of the Filipino community, allowing worshippers to take part in the Catholic liturgy in their native language.

According to the Rijeka Archdiocese, the new services will take place at the Capuchin Church of Our Lady of Lourdes on Žabica and will be celebrated by Fr Mark Robin Destura, RCJ.

Masses will be held on every second Saturday of the month at 4:30 pm, with the first Tagalog Mass scheduled for Saturday, 10 October.

The archdiocese said that pastoral care for Filipino Catholics has already been provided through the Mission of St Ansgar, but the introduction of regular Tagalog Masses is intended to further meet the community’s spiritual needs.

Rijeka has seen a significant increase in the number of foreign workers in recent years, with many arriving from the Philippines. In response, the archdiocese has expanded its pastoral activities for believers from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

It already organises monthly gatherings for foreign workers, while sacramental celebrations are arranged when needed for individual communities.

One recent example came in April, when two Filipino boys were baptised in Cernik, bringing together members of the local Filipino community. The archdiocese said such celebrations not only fulfil an important religious role but also help strengthen community ties and encourage greater participation in the life of the local Church.

The Rijeka Archdiocese said the introduction of regular Tagalog Masses reflects its continuing efforts to respond to the needs of foreign workers and Catholic faithful from diverse backgrounds living in the region.