Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Every year, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to honor the cultural and historical contributions made by people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. As The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is important to highlight their crucial role in keeping the Catholic community alive and vibrant in the United States. The social and cultural influence of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage has significantly strengthened Catholicism.  Asian and Pacific Island Catholics are diverse yet united under one universal faith. Discover how Catholicism has shaped their lives and find how their culture and actions have contributed to the faith by utilizing the resources below and attending ADW-hosted Asian American Pacific Islander events.

Resources for Parishes and Schools Christianity: Beyond East and West

Asian and Pacific Islander Month ADW Events

World Day of Prayer for the Church in China

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed world Day of Prayer for the Church of China as an act of solicitude and solidarity with the faithful of Asia. Locally, members of the Chinese Catholic community celebrate an evening of prayer, inviting the archdiocesan community to participate in this special bilingual service.

Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage

Organized by the Asian Pacific Catholic Network in collaboration with the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church and with the support of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington,  the Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage takes place every year in May. Attendees include diverse communities and representatives from more than 20 API national and ethnic groups.

The Feast of Our Lady of China

In 1941, Pope Pius XII designated the feast day as an official feast of the Catholic liturgical calendar. Following the Second Vatican Council, the Chinese Bishops conference, upon approval from the Holy See, placed the feast day on the day preceding Mother’s Day, the second Sunday of May. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington hosts a Mass to Commemorate The Feast of Our Lady of China.

Other Catholic Asian and Pacific Islander ADW Events

The Feast of St. Pedro Calungsod

St. Pedro Calungsod (Latin: Petrus Calungsod, Italian: Pietro Calungsod; (July 21, 1654 – April 2, 1672), also known as Peter Calungsod or Pedro Calungsod, is a young Roman Catholic Filipino Saint. Pope Benedict canonized Pedro Calungsod October 21, 2012. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington hosts a Mass to Commemorate the Feast of St. Pedro Calungsod every year.

The Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz

In 1987, Pope John Paul II canonized San Lorenzo Ruiz and his feast day is in September. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and the Filipino Catholic Community celebrate the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino martyr and saint, each year with a special Mass.