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VIENNA, September 14, 2026 — With hearts filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of community, members of the Filipino-Austrian community gathered on September 14 for a Thanksgiving Mass for PAMANA V – Heritage at the Church of the Parish of Leopoldau in Vienna’s 21st District.
The Holy Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Ivica Stankovic, parish priest of Leopoldau, was offered in thanksgiving for the successful staging of PAMANA V (Heritage) and for the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Austria, which this year marks its 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
PAMANA V, organized through the initiative of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria), was commemorated with a spectacular Philippine Festivals Parade and Cultural Extravaganza in Vienna’s 1st District on September 5. The event brought together Filipino communities, cultural organizations, artists, performers and friends of the Philippines from Austria and other European countries.
A Celebration of Gratitude and Heritage
In her introductory remarks before the Mass, Minnie Langer, the brainchild of PAMANA, invited the congregation to reflect on the deeper meaning of the celebration.
“With hearts filled with gratitude, we come together as one community to celebrate this Thanksgiving Mass for PAMANA V – Heritage, and to give thanks for the many blessings that have accompanied us throughout this special celebration,” Langer said.
She emphasized that the 80 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Austria represent much more than a formal relationship between two governments.
“It is 80 years marked by friendship, cooperation, mutual respect and growing people-to-people connections,” she said.
Langer expressed gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose contributions made PAMANA V possible, including diplomats and government representatives, community leaders, cultural organizations, volunteers, artists, performers, sponsors, partners, families and friends.
“Most especially, we thank all those who participated in PAMANA V,” she added.
Reflecting on the name of the celebration, Langer explained that “PAMANA” means heritage—something received from previous generations and, in turn, passed on to those who come after.
“Our heritage is not only found in monuments, traditions, music, food and stories. It is also found in people: in their sacrifices, their dreams, their faith, their courage and their willingness to build bridges between cultures,” she said.
She encouraged the congregation to bring all these gifts before God and pray for the continued friendship between the two nations.
“Let us therefore begin this Eucharistic celebration with grateful hearts, asking God to bless the friendship between our two nations and to guide us as we continue building a future founded on peace, respect, solidarity and cooperation,” Langer said.
Music That United Hearts
Adding a distinctly Filipino character to the Eucharistic celebration, the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy provided the musical accompaniment for the Mass under the direction of its conductress, Sonia Kison.
The choir’s songs enriched the liturgy and created an atmosphere of prayer, thanksgiving and unity, reflecting the important role that faith and music continue to play within the Filipino community in Austria.
Prayers for Friendship and Understanding
In his prayer of thanksgiving, Fr. Ivica Stankovic expressed gratitude for the bonds that unite peoples and nations.
“We thank you for the gift of friendship between peoples and nations, for the heritage entrusted to us by generations before us, and for the cultures and traditions that enrich our lives,” he prayed.
The parish priest specifically remembered the 80 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Austria, giving thanks for decades of friendship, cooperation, mutual understanding and shared experiences.
“We thank you for all those who have worked to strengthen these bonds, and for all who have gathered through PAMANA V – Heritage to celebrate the richness of Filipino and Austrian culture,” Fr. Stankovic said.
His words underscored the central message of the Thanksgiving Mass: that international friendship is strengthened not only through diplomatic relations, but also through the people who live, work, worship and build communities together.
Fellowship Continues at the Agape
Following the Mass, participants gathered at the parish hall for an Agape, providing an opportunity for fellowship, conversation and thanksgiving.
The gathering also served as another occasion to recognize the many people who worked behind the scenes to make PAMANA V a success.
Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas, Chairperson of ENFiD-Austria, once again expressed her heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to the event. She thanked the volunteers, participating organizations, performers, cultural groups, partners, sponsors and supporters whose collective efforts helped bring PAMANA V to life.
The Agape reflected the spirit of the celebration itself—community, friendship and solidarity transcending borders.
Passing Heritage to the Next Generation
The Thanksgiving Mass brought the PAMANA V celebrations to a meaningful spiritual conclusion. From the spectacular parade through Vienna’s historic center to the cultural performances and community gathering, PAMANA V celebrated the richness of Filipino heritage while highlighting the strong and growing relationship between the Philippines and Austria.
The celebration of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations provided an important backdrop, but the Thanksgiving Mass also looked toward the future.
For the Filipino community in Austria, PAMANA is a reminder that heritage is a living legacy. It is carried by people, preserved through faith and culture, and passed from one generation to the next.
As the community continues to strengthen its ties with Austrian society, the message of PAMANA V remains clear: heritage connects the past, friendship strengthens the present, and unity helps build the future.
- Hector Pascua/pictures:(1) Facebook/Cesar Amada
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