Naval Diving
Startpage Journey Accommodation Excursions Diving Spots Diving Base Galleries Islands Excursions Residence & Stay Arounf the water Regional Flora Events Other Events

Maasin Cathedral

Our Lady of the Assumption

The municipality of Maasin is considered as one of the oldest communities in the Philippines. During the Spanish era there was built up an impressive church of pure coral-stone.

In 1993, the National Historical Institute Plaque found out, that this, between 1700 – 1768 built Jesuit institution, together with the related church, was completely destroyed by an attack of the Moro.

In the year 1768 settled Augustinian monks and three years later they built a new church on the foundation of the old one. But even this church suffered the same fate as the former church in 1784 by the hands of Muslims and was completely destroyed. Only then one built a stony church on precisely this point.

When the first sod was laid it`s not known. Perhaps this is the present church, which according to ancient records, was built in 1839. In 1882, this church was joined by a previous fire victim and was rebuilt later on.

The three missionary groups, Jesuits, Augustinians and Franciscans, appointed Virgin Mary as the patroness of the parish church and gave her the name of Our Lady of Assumption. This happened on August 15, 1843. First records of 1844 show that the city celebrated today their city fiesta in memory of the naming of this church.

During 1595 to 1910 the province of Southern Leyte belongs to of the Diocese of Cebu. Between 1910 to 1937 the municipality was found under the Diocese of Calbayog and finally from 1937 to 1968 in the administration of the Diocese of Palo in Leyte.

Today she still belongs to the Archdiocese of Cebu.

As part of the church's reorganization of this area the church of Maasin appointed to a cathedral, today's 'Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral'.

The diocese covers the entire province of Southern Leyte and the cities Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan and Baybay with the parish cathedral of Maasin as the seat of the diocese.

By a papal decree of Pope Paul VI, issued on March 23, 1968, a list of bishops named for the region on August 14, 1968. By June 17, 1968 Rev. Hon Vicente Ataviado, DD, at that time still padre in Masbate, was suggested as bishop. On August 08, 1968 he was consecrated to a bishop and implemented as the first bishop for the Assumption Cathedral in Maasin, Southern Leyte.

Now the total area extends to 2505.65 sq.kms and contains 28 municipalities; (five of them are barrio communities) and four quasi-municipalities. It is the target of the bishop to build up further twelve communities in the coming years. To facilitate the administrative task the community was divided into five Vicariates and will be served by 39 priests and vicars.


Katholische Kirche (Maasin)

Die Heiligen

Beeindruckende Eleganz und Pracht (Maasin)

Grotte vor der Kirche (Maasin)

Picture Gallery

More Info about


Pilgrimage Maasin

Monte Cueva Shrine
Pilgrimage Chapel
Mother Mary Shrine

Addresses | Pricelist | Modality | Surftips | Impress