Beyond East and West: A Christian Celebration of the Lunar New Year

The Saint John Paul II National Shrine invites you to its annual Christian celebration of the Lunar New Year to honor the rich cultural heritage of the Church in Asia. Pope John Paul II emphasized the importance of intercultural engagement as a means of fostering deeper unity within the Body of Christ. Inspired by John Paul II's call to a New Evangelization, this year's theme is Evangelizing Witness to Justice and Peace. Speakers and trivia will focus on social doctrine, evangelization, and human dignity in Asia and Asian American communities with a special focus on South Korea in anticipation of World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul.

Event Program

11:00am – Confession available in different Asian languages

11:30am – Holy Rosary in various languages

12:00pm – Holy Mass in honor of the Lunar New Year (English)

12:30pm – Lunch (following Mass)

1:00pm - Guest speakers and trivia on the Church in Asia

Registration is $5 per person, or $10 for families - lunch included. Please RSVP.