WASHINGTON—Michael Tran, assistant director of the Office of Ethnic Ministries, represented the Diocese of Charleston at the 13th annual Asian and Pacific Catholics Marian Pilgrimage held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Organized by the Asian and Pacific Catholic Network and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Cultural Diversity, it drew about 2,000 people from more than 25 communities, including Filipino, Cambodian, Burmese and more.
The pilgrimage began with a procession featuring many Marian images venerated throughout Asia and the Pacific. It was followed by prayer, the crowning of Mary, and a rosary recited in five languages. A multilingual Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville-Rodríguez of Washington, D.C., with more than 20 priests.
