Hundreds of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics celebrated a prayerful, solemn afternoon during their 19th annual Marian Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on May 7, 2022. Catholic communities from Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Chamorro, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Montagnard, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam have participated in this annual event. In a colorful opening procession, Asian Catholics in their native attire marched with ornate statues of Mary to the beat of traditional drums. People, in groups and with their families, took part in praying the rosary, followed by a Mass celebrated by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Mario Dorsonville. (Catholic Standard photos by Andrew Biraj)
Praying the rosary After the opening procession, rosary prayers were led by members of the Burmese, Syro-Malankara, Chinese and Filipino communities, and the Asian Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the 19th annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage to the National Shrine. (CS photos/Andrew Biraj)