Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
by Andrew Doan Thanh Phong
Hue (Fides News Agency) - Regardless of travelling for a long distance and no matter when residing in the difficult condition into uncomfortable tents being temporarily erected under hot temperatures, sometimes reaching up to 40°C approximately 160,000 Vietnamese faithful from all over the country and overseas came to participate in the La Vang Congress from August 13-15, 2026. The Congress of La Vang has been traditionally held every three years since 1901, and this one marked the 32nd Congress. The two most recent gatherings could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in years when the congress is not held, the number of Catholic pilgrims remains significant, ranging from approximately 70,000 to 90,000. All of this reflects the devotion, love, and trust to the Virgin Mary from Vietnamese Catholics.
“On the pilgrimage to La Vang, we do not carry bulky luggage, yet the spiritual baggage we bear is immense which comprises the joys and sorrows of life. We come to Our Lady so that she may lead us to Jesus”: stated by Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang of the Archdiocese of Saigon, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam during the opening ceremony of the 32nd La Vang Marian Pilgrimage Congress at the La Vang Shrine in the Archdiocese of Hue, Central Vietnam. Focusing on the theme “Mary – The Proclaimer of the Gospel”, he also invited the faithful to emulate the Blessed Mother by becoming missionary disciples and ready to embrace the Gospel and share it to others nearby in their daily lives.
In that sacred and fervent atmosphere, Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi, the principal celebrant, recalled the apparition of the Virgin Mary amidst the suffering of Vietnamese Catholics who were fleeing from religious persecution by Vietnamese feudal court in the dense forest in 1798 where the Shrine of La Vang is located at present. Since then, countless Vietnamese generations have encountered and been comforted by the Mother of La Vang Who promised: "You must have steady faith and patiently endure your suffering. I have heard your pleas. From this time on, whoever comes to this place to implore me shall have their prayers responded and receive graces according to their intentions": shared by Joseph Thien at the opening Mass of the Congress at 6:00 PM on August 13, 2026.
To serve the 3 - day Congress, the local authorities and relevant agencies implemented various measures to ensure security, traffic order, environmental sanitation, food safety, and healthcare for attendants. "All personnel on duty must uphold a strong sense of responsibility and maintain a polite and friendly, yet firm while guiding and assisting parishioners and pilgrims, thereby ensuring absolute security and traffic safety throughout the 32nd La Vang Congress": stated by Senior Colonel Le Phuong Nam, the Deputy Director of the Provincial Police, as he addressed to the officers on duty while emphasizing the event's significance.
With the synchronous preparation of the local government, the administration of the archdiocese of Hue together with the other relating people, along with the intercession of Mother La Vang, the 32nd Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage took place in a safe and solemn way.
Although the crowd was extremely giant, the community of Mother's children always remained cheerful, welcoming and friendly and when attending Mass or other times of prayer they were all in order and solemnity. "No matter if we sleep on tarpaulins, mats, hammocks, tents, or we eat and drink in a makeshift manner, it's all good ... as long as we can come to Mother and stay with Mother, we are happy.": shared by Ms Matta Nguyet, a pilgrim from Hochiminh city in South Vietnam.
Archbishop of Hue Joseph Dang Duc Ngan also said that this Congress was very carefully organized with wonderful cooperation of many collaborators and volunteers from all over the country, and especially the brothers and sisters of God's community from almost all the parishes in the Archdiocese of Hue. He confirmed: "This is concrete evidence of living communion in the Church of Vietnam".
The procession in honor of the Virgin Mary in the early morning of August 15 was to begin the closing Mass of the 32nd Pilgrimage Congress of La Vang which was presided over by the Archbishop of Hue Archdiocese, Joseph Dang Duc Ngan, some other Bishops of Vietnamese Church and hundreds of priests concelebrating with the participation of a huge number of pilgrims. During the homily, Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, former Archbishop of Hue Archdiocese, reminded the congregation at present: "soon after you all return to your family and workplace you should take with you the spirit of Mother La Vang, which is to cultivate a moral life and live in imitation of Our Lady". (Fides News Agency 16/8/2026)
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