Chinese faithful join in prayer and dance at API Pilgrimage in D.C. (Video)

Chinese Catholics of the Archdiocese of Newark headed to Washington, D.C. joining thousands for the 21st Asian and Pacific Island Marian Pilgrimage at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday, May 4. 

The faithful came together to celebrate their heritage and Marian devotions during Asian and Pacific Island Heritage Month in May. The day was filled with reconciliation, the rosary, Mass, and Call to prayer. 

Sister Dong Hong Marie Zhang, CSSF, Chinese Community Liaison for the Archdiocese, explained that Call to Prayer features sacred songs, and traditional movements and costumes.  

A traditional drum welcome by St. Andrew Kim Korean Church of Maryland was followed by a colorful bannered procession representing 22 churches. During the Call to Prayer, the Archdiocese of Newark dance group was joined by the Diocese of Metuchan performing “My God, I want to worship you” in the sanctuary.  

The Call to Prayer, or dance, reflects a freedom of sorts for the Chinese Community who come from a country that suppressed expression of their Christain faith for years. 

“The worship dance is not only the way to praise and thank God, but also to share our culture with others,” Sister Dong Hong said. 

While other Asian communities had been represented at the annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C. through dance and song, Chinese Catholics had not been, said Sister Dong Hong. This was the second year that the group performed the Call to Prayer at the annual pilgrimage.  

The group of 11 dancers practiced with dance teacher Sherry Chen for about three months leading up to the pilgrimage, said Sister Dong Hong.  

The lyrics of the song they performed were as moving as the dance: “My God, I want to worship you, my heart loves you deeply. Before your throne, I meditate on your grace; my heart praises and worships you! You are my only joy and my desire.” 

The principal celebrant and homilist Cardinal Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. 

In the spring, the API Marian Pilgrimage annually draws 600 parishioners from the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and the Archdiocese of Newark representing their native countries of Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chamorros, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Lebanese, Montagnard, Pakistani, Samoan, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Vietnamese. 

The dance group in the Archdiocese of Newark — comprised of women aged 18-60 — welcomes women of all faiths. The Chinese Catholic community currently has several offerings for faith formation and evangelization, including various Bible study groups, weekly prayer gathering, charismatic prayer, Sunday faith sharing groups, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) class, Campus Ministry for Chinese students, and youth activity groups. The dance group adds another offering for those seeking to experience Christ, said Sister Dong Hong, and may appeal to the younger generation.  

To learn more about the Chinese Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Newark or the dance troupe visit rcan.org or call .973-497-4303.