Photo Gallery: United in faith, Asian and Pacific Island Catholics gather at National Shrine for 20th annual pilgrimage
Members of the Our Lady of La Vang Mission, a Vietnamese Catholic community in Chantilly, Virginia, participate in a procession before a May 6 Mass marking the 20th annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory was the main celebrant at the Mass. The gathering included an opening procession of nearly two dozen Catholic communities with roots in that part of the world. About 600 pilgrims from the Washington area and several states participated. Before the Mass, Asian and Pacific Island Catholics led a call to prayer featuring sacred songs and movements, and then different groups led the praying of the rosary, and a statue of Mary was crowned. See related story on the Catholic Standard website: https://cathstan.org/news/faith/united-in-faith-asian-and-pacific-island-catholics-gather-at-national-shrine-for-20th-annual-pilgrimage (Catholic Standard photos/Mihoko Owada)