‘Bless each act of welcome and outreach that draws those in exile into the “we” of community and of the Church,
Pope Francis
so that our earth may truly become what you yourself created it to be:
the common home of all our brothers and sisters.’
MOST REVEREND EFREN V. ESMILLA TO CELEBRATE ANNUAL CULTURAL HERITAGE MASS
The Mass will be streamed live via https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, Facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez, Facebook.com/ArchPhila, and Facebook.com/pcmrphilly.
Auxiliary Bishop Efren V. Esmilla will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Annual Cultural Heritage Mass. Priests from 16 apostolates serving 36 parishes with unique cultural and pastoral ministries will concelebrate this liturgy.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Procession (2:00 p.m.)
Mass (2:30 p.m.)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Mass highlights the rich history and cultural diversity of the Catholic community in the five-county Archdiocese, which is composed of people tracing their origins to Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, and various Native American communities. The theme echoes the call of Pope Leo XIV . encouraging us in these turbulent times, as ‘missionary communities… to unleash a torrent of moral energy…’//
Lay Representatives from approximately 28 different national and ethnic traditions will participate in the liturgy. Scripture readings and prayers will be proclaimed in languages including Ghanaian, Konkani, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Twi, Polish, Korean, Igbu, Filipino and Swahili. Overall, 20 languages will be spoken or sung at the Cultural Heritage Mass. Choirs from nine parishes will provide multilingual music during the Mass.
Participants dressed in native attire will walk in the opening procession behind banners noting their country of origin. All are welcome to attend.
The Cultural Heritage Mass is organized by the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees. It is supported by the Pontifical Mission Societies and the Office of Cultural Ministries. The Office for Cultural Ministries comprises the Office for Black Catholics, the Office for Hispanic Catholics and the Office for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees.
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Editor’s Note: For more information, please contact Sister Gertrude Borres, director of the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, at 215-587-3540.
The Cultural Heritage Mass will be live streamed at https://vimeo.com/event/2470138, Facebook.com/ArchbishopPerez, Facebook.com/ArchPhila, andFacebook.com/pcmrphilly.
No mult-box feed will be provided. Cameras will be permitted in the Cathedral. They must remain clear of the main aisle and altar.
Upcoming Events
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About Us
The Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees (PCMR) facilitates the ecclesial integration and full participation of immigrants, refugees, migrants, and other ethnic groups in the life of the Church. The Archdiocese provides pastoral care to Catholics of diverse ethnic backgrounds through ethnic or personal parishes and through apostolates, which provide liturgical services and care to Catholics of various languages, cultures, and rites. In particular the office ministers to Asian, African, European, Caribbean, Brazilian, and Native American Catholics.
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, we have mass in 17 languages other than English or Spanish. The office currently supports Catholic immigrant and ethnic Church communities made up of people who come from the following countries: Brazil, Haiti, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, France, Italy, Ireland, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Francophone Africa, Liberia, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, China, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In addition the Office supports Native American Catholics and seafarers who temporarily stop in our shipping ports for their work. The Office is happy to collaborate with Priests, Religious, and lay people to address needs of communities who are newly arriving and may not currently not be supported by any ministerial outreach.
The main ministerial responsibilities for the Director are:
1. To make sure that each PCMR community has a priest that speaks their language and knows their culture and that each community has a parish to call home
2. To serve as a link between the Archdiocese and the PCMR communities to ensure that the communities are invited to, welcomed, and able to participate in any activity or ministry of the Archdiocese
3. To develop relationships with the PCMR priests, Religious Sisters, Deacons, lay leaders and community as a whole to know better their ideas, desires, and needs and how we can collaborate to bring them to reality
4. To create opportunities and space where the PCMR communities can share their talents, goodness, and gifts of faith and culture to build up the entire Church of Philadelphia
5. To act as a reference person for other social needs, linking people to needed services including immigration support and English and citizenship classes.
Latest News
- The Day of Prayer for Peace Feb. 24 in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul responded to the national call for prayer amidst the “current climate of fear and polarization” regarding immigration in the U.S. The post Archbishop Pérez Prays for Peace, Gift of Human Dignity, at Mass and Holy Hour appeared first […]
- The post ‘Holding Families in Warehouses Should Challenge Conscience of Every American,’ Bishop Says appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
- Catholics joining in a holy hour Nov. 16 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul found strength from Christ’s presence in the Eucharist to be present to “the least of these,” including migrating men and women. The post Plight of Migrants to U.S. Becomes Focus of Prayer at Cathedral appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
- More than 100 clergy, religious sisters and lay people gathered in center city Philadelphia Nov. 13 to take prayerful action, including a public eucharistic procession, supporting immigrants in danger of deportation. The post Prayer Vigil for Immigrants Unites Catholics Outside City ICE Office appeared first on CatholicPhilly.