Marian advocacy of Vietnam
The Marian Faith in the Dragon Land
Vietnam, with about seven million Catholics (about 7 per cent of its population), is one of the Asian nations with the greatest Christian presence. The Gospel reached its shores by the hand of Portuguese and Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century, and since then the Virgin Mary has been a refuge and strength of a people who have been able to keep the faith alive between persecutions, wars and difficulties. Today the Vietnamese Church has 3 archdiocese and 23 dioceses, and Marian shrines are the latent heart of their devotion.
Main data
♪ Wonders and Marian anecdotes from Vietnam
- The Virgin of La Vang (1798). During the persecution of Emperor Canh Thinh, Catholics fled to the jungle of La Vang. There the Virgin Mary appeared to them with a child in arms and two angels, comforting them and teaching them to use the leaves of the forest as medicine. Today is the national sanctuary of Vietnam.
- The 117 Vietnam Martyrs. Canonized by John Paul II on June 19, 1988. Among them are priests, bishops and laity of different times. Many died praying the rosary. His party is held on November 24.
- La Catedral de Phat Diem. Built between 1875 and 1899, it is a unique fusion of Gothic architecture and Vietnamese pagoda. It has an image of the Virgin with Asian features, considered the most beautiful church in Vietnam.
- The Rosary of the rice trees. In rural areas, Catholic communities pray the rosary at sunset while working in the fields. It is a tradition that dates back to the first missionaries and that still lasts in the villages.
- Our Lady of Fatima of Saigon (1959). Cardinal Agagianian corono to the Virgin of Fatima in Saigon before more than a million faithful. It was prophesied that the Virgin would protect Vietnam.
- La Virgen de Tra Kieu. Una de las imágenes marianas más antiguas de Vietnam, tallada en madera en el siglo XVII por misioneros. Es venerada como «Me Tra Kieu» (Madre de Tra Kieu).
Marian advocacy of Vietnam
Click on each advocation to know your history, your party and a prayer.
Our Lady of La Vang
It is the most important Marian invocation in Vietnam. According to tradition, in 1798, during the persecution of Emperor Canh Thinh, the persecuted Catholics took refuge in the jungle of La Vang. There the Virgin Mary appeared to them, comforting them and promising them their protection. The sanctuary was declared National Sanctuary in 1959 and raised to minor basilica by John XXIII in 1961. The image represents the Virgin with the Child Jesus in her arms, dressed in the typical Vietnamese ao dai and accompanied by two angels.
"Virgin of La Vang, comfort of the persecuted, protect your people of Vietnam and grant us the strength in the trial.
Our Lady of Fatima of Phat Diem
The Phat Diem Cathedral, built between 1875 and 1899 by Father Pedro Tran Luc, is a masterpiece of architectural syncretism. It combines gothic elements with the structure of traditional Vietnamese pagodas. The image of the Virgin within her has Asian features, and the sanctuary receives pilgrims from all over the country. It is considered the most beautiful church in Vietnam.
"Virgin of Phat Diem, a bridge between heaven and earth, teaches your people to build faith with beauty and humility.
Immaculate Conception of Saigon
The Cathedral of Saigon, officially basil of the Immaculate Conception, was built by French settlers between 1863 and 1880. It is one of the most important Catholic temples in Vietnam and the seat of the archidocesis of Saigon. Its Neorromanic architecture with two 57-metre bell tower makes it a milestone of the city. The image of the Immaculate is the chief altar.
The Immaculate Conception of Saigon protects this city and those who invoke you from the heart of Vietnam.
Cathedral of the Rosary of Hanoi
The Cathedral of San José de Hanoi, popularly known as the Cathedral of the Rosary, was built in 1886 on the site of an ancient pagoda. It is the seat of the archidiocesis of Hanoi and a symbol of the Catholic presence in northern Vietnam. Its neo-Gothic style reminds of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The feast of the Rosary is celebrated with special solemnity every 7 October.
"Virgin of the Rosary of Hanoi, queen of peace, teach your people to pray the rosary for unity and harmony.
Our Lady of Fatima of Saigon
In 1959, Cardinal Gregorio Agagianian, pontifical delegate, solemnly corono to the Virgin of Fatima in Saigon. More than a million faithful attended the ceremony. During the act, it was prophesied that the Virgin would protect Vietnam in the difficult times that were coming. The image remains in the Basilica of Fatima of Saigon, and its feast brings together thousands of pilgrims each year.
"Virgin of Fatima of Saigon, mother of hope, intercede for Vietnam and for peace throughout the world.
Our Lady of the Perpetual Help of Hue
In the ancient imperial capital of Hue, devotion to the Virgin of Perpetual Relief came with the French missionaries in the 19th century. The church dedicated to this advocation is one of the most loved temples in the city. During the Vietnam War, the faithful took refuge in the sanctuary to pray the rosary asking for protection. The image of the Perpetual Relief is a copy of the original Byzantine icon.
"Our Lady of the Perpetual Help of Hue, the protection of those who suffer, help your people in all need.
Virgin of Tra Kieu
La Virgen de Tra Kieu, conocida como «Me Tra Kieu» (Madre de Tra Kieu), es una de las imágenes marianas más antiguas de Vietnam. Fue tallada en madera por misioneros portugueses en el siglo XVII. La imagen sobrevivio a persecuciones y guerras, y hoy es venerada en una capilla construida en el lugar donde se encontro originalmente. Cada año, los fieles acuden en peregrinación para venerar a la Madre de Tra Kieu.
"Mother of Tra Kieu, an ancient image of the living faith, keeps in us the flame of devotion to your Son.
Our Lady of Phu Nhai
Phu Nhai is one of the oldest parishes in Vietnam, founded by Dominican missionaries in the 16th century. The image of Our Lady of Phu Nhai is a wooden size that represents the Virgin with the Child. During the persecutions of the 17th and 18th centuries, Catholics hid the image to save it from destruction. Today the church of Phu Nhai is a Marian pilgrimage center in the north of the country.
The Virgin of Phu Nhai, a guardian of faith in times of trial, protects the families of Vietnam.
Our Lady of Binh Trieu
The Binh Trieu shrine is one of the most important Marian centers in southern Vietnam. The image of the Virgin was enthroned in 1959 and has since been the goal of pilgrimages. During the war, the sanctuary was a place of refuge and prayer. Every 15 August, thousands of faithful gather to celebrate the Assumption of Mary and renew her consecration to the Virgin of Binh Trieu.
"Virgin of Binh Trieu, mother of hope, guide our steps on the path of faith.
Our Lady of Mang Den
Mang Den, en las tierras altas de Vietnam central, es un santuario mariano rodeado de bosques y montanas. La imagen de la Virgen fue llevada alli por misioneros franceses en el siglo XIX para evangelizar a las etnias minoritarias de la region. El santuario es conocido como «la pequena Da Lat» por su clima fresco y su belleza natural. Es lugar de retiro espiritual y peregrinación para los católicos de las tierras altas.
"Virgin of Mang Den, mother of creation, bless these lands and the peoples who live in them.
Our Lady of So Kien
So Kien is a Marian sanctuary in northern Vietnam, built in the place where the Virgin appeared to some pastoral children in 1859. The Virgin asked them to pray the rosary for the peace of Vietnam. The sanctuary was destroyed during the war and later rebuilt. Today it is a pilgrimage center for the Catholics of the north, especially at the feast of St. Joseph Obrero and the Virgin.
"Virgin of So Kien, a messenger of peace, teaches your children to pray the rosary for the reconciliation of peoples.
- A prayer for Vietnam
Holy Virgin, Mother of La Vang and all Vietnamese,
You who comforted the persecuted in the jungle and accompanied the martyrs to heaven,
protect the Church in Vietnam, strengthen the faith of your children and grant us the peace that only your Son can give.
Amen.
Sources: Episcopal Conference of Vietnam · National Sanctuary of La Vang · Vatican News · Wikipedia.
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