Vietnam: 1,500 Catholics Gather at La Vang Shrine to Pray for the Faithful Departed

Around 1,200 to 1,500 Catholics gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in central Vietnam on November 7 for the monthly Marian pilgrimage Mass, offering prayers for deceased family members and all the faithful departed.

Archbishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngân of Hue presided over the 8 a.m. Mass at the shrine in Quang Tri Province, concelebrated by Archbishop Francisco Xavier Le Van Hong, former archbishop of Hue, Father Barnaba Tran Dinh Phuc, vicar general, Father Paul Tran Van Quang, rector of the national shrine, and other diocesan clergy and religious. Pilgrims from several dioceses across Vietnam also attended.

At the beginning of the Mass, Archbishop Ngân invited the faithful to entrust their deceased ancestors and loved ones to the care of Our Lady, praying that they might attain the vision of God.

In his homily, he recalled La Vang's place in the history of Vietnamese Catholicism as a center of faith, suffering and hope for generations of Christians.

Reflecting on November's traditional dedication to prayer for the dead, he urged the faithful to remain confident in God's love despite life's suffering and the reality of death.

"Human beings may lose their health, wealth, status, loved ones, and even their lives, but believers must never lose the firm conviction that God always loves them," he said. "God's love is stronger than sin, greater than suffering, and victorious over death."

He encouraged the community to express its faith through communion, charity and continued prayer for souls undergoing purification.

The monthly pilgrimage Mass, held on the first Saturday of each month, was established during the tenure of Archbishop Le Van Hong as archbishop of Hue to provide Catholics with a regular opportunity to gather in prayer at the Marian shrine.

Joseph Nguyen Van Khanh, a member of the Archdiocesan Communications Committee who helped cover the celebration, described serving at La Vang as a spiritual blessing, noting that Catholics across Vietnam regularly follow the shrine's livestreamed Masses and express their devotion to Our Lady.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Ngân blessed rosaries, religious images, water and leaves of Our Lady of La Vang for the pilgrims.

The monthly gathering provides Catholics from across Vietnam an opportunity to renew their Marian devotion and pray for deceased family members while strengthening their faith and hope in God's promise of eternal life.