22nd annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage took place May 3
WASHINGTON — The estimated 600 to 700 people at the 22nd annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception May 3 came from several different states and with family roots in many different countries, all united in faith for a single purpose.
“Our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary binds us together as one,” said Patrick Realiza, one of the emcees.
While the congregation sang the processional hymn “Here I Am, Lord,” groups of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics processed down the national shrine’s main aisle, led by pilgrims carrying arches of colorful crepe-paper flowers.
They were followed by men and women from different states carrying banners and portraits and sculptures of Mary connected to the countries of their families’ origins, including Our Lady of Antipolo for the Filipino Catholic community, Our Lady of Vailankanni for the Indian Catholic community, Our Lady of La Vang for the Vietnamese Catholic community and Our Lady of Lourdes for the Myanmar/Burmese Catholic community.
The procession also included marchers expressing devotion to Our Lady of China, Our Lady of Korea, Our Lady of Indonesia and Our Lady of Laos.
The pilgrims came from throughout Washington and the surrounding Maryland and Virginia areas, and also from North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and from Pennsylvania.
Before the Mass, priests heard confessions in five different languages.
The call to prayer included sacred songs and expressive dance movements by the Indian Catholic Community of Maryland; the Montagnard Catholic Community of North Carolina representing Indigenous people from the central highlands of Vietnam; the Chinese Catholic Community of New Jersey; and the Our Lady of La Vang Mission in Chantilly, Virginia.
The Mass for the pilgrimage was celebrated by Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Efren V. Esmilla, a native of the Philippines. Concelebrants included Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar.
The annual Mass was sponsored by the Asian and Pacific Catholic Network in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church.
