VIETNAM - Vietnam’s 'gratitude' for Father Truong Buu Diep's beatification

by Andrew Doan Thanh Phong

Tac Say (Fides News Agency) - "Thank God for bringing such great joy to Vietnamese Catholics when Father Diep was beatified right here in His homeland," said by a pilgrim from Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, 55 years old, who had visited Tac Say many times and she expressed his emotion that this was the most special pilgrimage to her.

“This was an extremely remarkable point in the history for the Catholic Church of Vietnam as it marked the first time that the Beatification Mass has been held in the homeland of Vietnam,” shared by Mr Nguyen Ho Hai, Secretary of the Ca Mau Provincial Party Committee, at the conclusion of the 2th of july Beatification Mass, presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and Papal Envoy on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. He continued: “This grand Mass is not only a joy for Catholic compatriots in Vietnam but also a shared joy for the people of Ca Mau province, and an opportunity to introduce the image of the land and people of Ca Mau to friends both domestically and internationally.”

Most people who attended the Mass in person or online, as well as for those who followed the information related to the Beatification Mass for Father Francis Truong Buu Diep on July 2nd, were full of praise. As stated at the review meeting by Mr Ho Thanh Thuy, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ca Mau province in southern part of Vietnam: “The Beatification Mass for Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep was held successfully, solemnly, and safely, leaving a wonderful impression of the land and people of Ca Mau.”

Other major newspapers of the Vietnamese Communist State also contributed to making this special religious event more accessible and close to the people of Vietnam through their coverage of this momentous occasion by using positive words and vivid imagery: “Long lines of people visited the tomb of Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep, praying and capturing memorable moments. Many brought family photos, prayer letters, or small bouquets of flowers to place in front of the tomb as a way of expressing their reverence", or "The pilgrims sang hymns praising God and commemorating the merits of the new Blessed. All shared a common prayer for peace and a focus on the good things in life.”

All the news about the Beatification Mass of Father Francis Truong Buu Diep, along with the crowd of over 70,000 attendees regardless of religious, cultural and class differences, created a unity of many other people, and according to Bishop of Can Tho Diocese, the hosting place of the mass, Peter Nguyen Tan Loi that was a miracle, as he shared after the Mass: “Father Diep is not just for Catholics, but also a meeting point of compassion. The fact is that millions of hearts from all different faiths respectfully bowed in front of the priest is a great miracle of harmony and unity”.

The presence of government officials, representatives of other religions, and countless volunteers — both Catholic and non-Catholic— engaged in a quiet service transformed the occasion into a celebration of faith and compassion. This truly embodies the beauty of unity, especially in a world still rife with division caused by war, hatred, and selfishness, the scene at Tac Say that day stood as a living testament that people can still come together through compassion and mutual respect. Perhaps, this is also the work that Blessed Truong Buu Diep continues to carry out, to unite the people even after his passing into the presence of God.

"We hope that the spirit of compassion and selflessness from Father Diep will always illuminate the path for government leaders, so that they may always be loyal servants of the people, caring for the peace and happiness of our compatriots. For our non-Catholic brothers and sisters, we hope that Tac Say will forever be a peaceful common home, where Father Diep's boundless love will warm up the hearts of all people and will help them realise God," Bishop Peter Phan Tan Loi emphasized after the Mass concluded. (Fides News Agency, 10/7/2026)

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