The Philippine Embassy in Vienna invited the Filipino community in Austria to a Thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Austria. The Mass was officiated by Bishop Franz Scharl.
The celebration brought together members of the Filipino community to give thanks for eight decades of friendship, cooperation, and diplomatic ties between the two countries. It also served as an occasion to reflect on the enduring bonds of understanding, mutual respect, and cultural exchange that connect the Philippines and Austria.
A special musical highlight of the celebration was the performance by Filipina soprano Maria Isabel Zavala, who sang Laudate Dominum, a renowned sacred composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Composed in 1780 as part of his Vesperae solennes de Confessore, the piece added a solemn and uplifting musical dimension to the Thanksgiving Mass.
The gathering underscored the important role of faith, culture, and the Filipino community in strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Austria. As both nations mark 80 years of diplomatic relations, the Thanksgiving Mass offered a meaningful opportunity to celebrate their shared history and look forward to continued friendship and cooperation in the years ahead.