Vietnam: ‘Imitate Mary,’ Bishop Tells 2,000 Pilgrims at Rach Suc Shrine

About 2,000 Catholics gathered at the Our Lady of Fatima Pilgrimage Center in Rach Suc, in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, on October 13 for a pilgrimage day themed “With Mary as Missionary Disciples,” where Bishop Emeritus Stephan Tri Buu Thien of the Diocese of Can Tho urged the faithful to imitate Mary by bringing Christ to others.

Bishop Thien presided over the noon Mass, concelebrated by about 20 priests, with religious and pilgrims from nearby communities and farther afield attending the celebration.

Despite limited facilities and challenges posed by seasonal rains and high tides, pilgrims filled the shrine grounds, with some sitting near the sanctuary and along the roadside. The day included the recitation of the Rosary and opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In his homily, Bishop Thien said Marian devotion should go beyond prayers and pilgrimages and lead Catholics to follow Mary’s example of faith and service.

“Each of us, as we turn to Mary, are also called to walk the path of absolute surrender, opening our hearts to receive and share God's love with those who are suffering and struggling in today's world,” he said.

Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Truc, director of the Rach Suc Pilgrimage Center, described the shrine as a spiritual refuge for people seeking peace amid the pressures of modern life.

He said visitors include people of other faiths, including Buddhists and Buddhist nuns who come on pilgrimage and attend the noon Mass.

Fr. Truc expressed hope that the center would be expanded to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims. He also called for improved organization and administration to help the diocese serve visitors more effectively.

The pilgrimage continued into the evening with a prayer vigil featuring artists from Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, organized in coordination with the parish. A candlelight Eucharistic procession honoring Our Lady followed, before Vicar General Fr. Peter Vu Van Hai presided over the concluding Mass of thanksgiving.

The celebration ended with a call for Catholics to carry the spirit of the pilgrimage into their daily lives by embracing their vocation as missionary disciples.

Located in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, the Rach Suc shrine has become a pilgrimage destination for Catholics across the region. Its history traces back to the first missionary efforts in the area, with the shrine’s development beginning in 1974. The center belongs to the Diocese of Can Tho, which serves Catholic communities throughout the delta region.