40th Anniversary
For four decades, the Capellanía Filipina – Tahanan Madrid has been a spiritual home for Filipinos living in Madrid.
The name Tahanan, which means home in Filipino, reflects the heart of our mission: to welcome, accompany, and journey with our Filipino brothers and sisters as they live their faith far from their homeland.
What began with a small community of Filipino migrants seeking a place to pray and celebrate the Eucharist has grown into a vibrant community of faith, service, fellowship, and belonging.
Today, we give thanks for 40 years of God's faithfulness and for the many priests, religious, lay leaders, families, young people, volunteers, and members of the Filipino community who have helped build this home of faith.
A Journey of Faith
From a Small Community to a Spiritual Home
The story of Tahanan began in the early 1980s, when Filipino migrants in Madrid began gathering on their days off to pray, share their experiences, and look for opportunities to celebrate Mass together.
Their desire to remain connected to their faith and Filipino roots eventually led to a more organized pastoral ministry.
On January 1, 1986, the Archdiocese of Madrid and the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) formally established the Filipino Chaplaincy to provide pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment to the growing Filipino community in Madrid.
The first Divine Word missionaries assigned to serve the Filipino community were Fr. Romeo Castro and Fr. Felipe Flores, whose dedication helped lay the foundations of the ministry that continues today.
40 Years of Mission
Throughout the years, Tahanan has accompanied generations of Filipino migrants and families through the joys and challenges of life in Spain.
Our mission continues through:
Sunday Eucharistic celebrations
Sacramental ministry
Christian formation
Youth ministry
Community fellowship
Social and pastoral assistance
Spiritual accompaniment
Service to those in need
Through these ministries, Tahanan continues to be more than a place where people gather.
30 Years at Nuestra Señora del Espino
A Home Within a Home
In 1996, Tahanan found a permanent home at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Espino, where the Filipino community has continued to grow and flourish.
In 2026, we celebrate not only the 40th Anniversary of the Chaplaincy, but also 30 years of presence and community life at Nuestra Señora del Espino.
We are deeply grateful to the parish community and the Claretian Missionaries for welcoming Tahanan and walking alongside the Filipino community for three decades.
Christ at the Heart of Tahanan
For 40 years, one thing has remained constant:
Christ is at the heart of Tahanan.
Our journey is rooted in the Eucharist, strengthened by prayer, and sustained by the love and service of the community.
As we celebrate this milestone, we look back with gratitude, live the present with faith, and look toward the future with hope.
We continue our mission as a community that is:
Welcoming. Synodal. Christ-centered.
A Celebration of Gratitude
This 40th Anniversary is an opportunity to remember the many people who have become part of the Tahanan story.
To our priests and missionaries, pastoral leaders, volunteers, families, young people, and every member of our community:
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Every prayer, every Mass, every act of service, every gathering, and every helping hand has helped make Tahanan a true home for Filipinos in Madrid.
CONNECT & SERVE
Be Part of Our Community
Our Chaplaincy grows through faith, fellowship, and service. Whether you’d like to volunteer, join our activities, share your gifts, or simply become more involved in our community, we´d love to have you.
Come journey with us as we grow in faith, serve others, and build a welcoming community together.
CAPELLANÍA FILIPINA
TAHANAN MADRID
Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Espino Madrid, Spain
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