On the afternoon of August 14, at the La Vang Pilgrimage Center (Hai Phu Commune, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri), the Catholic Church of Vietnam held an opening ceremony and mass, starting the 2-day La Vang pilgrimage program for Catholics.
Catholics come to La Vang, bringing clothes, food... and stay overnight to attend mass.
Catholics pray before the statue of Our Lady of La Vang
From 3 p.m. the same day, in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang, thousands of people gathered to wait for the time to celebrate the mass. This is an annual pilgrimage program and every 3 years, a large-scale, solemn pilgrimage is organized.
Parishioners gathered in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang to attend the mass celebrated at 5 p.m.
Nearly 100 priests and 4 bishops celebrated mass at La Vang on the afternoon of August 14.
For Catholics, this is a special event, many parishioners not only in Quang Tri province but also from many parishes in provinces and cities such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Hai Phong... also visited the La Vang Pilgrimage Center on this occasion.
Bishop Kieu Cong Tung (white hat, Bishop of Phat Diem Diocese) and Bishop Nguyen Chi Linh (yellow hat, Archbishop of Hue Archdiocese) celebrate the mass.
The hot weather in Quang Tri does not make it difficult for Catholics to visit the La Vang Pilgrimage Center.
In addition to the laity, this is also an occasion for many bishops, priests and religious to gather in La Vang to celebrate Mass. The Mass on the afternoon of August 14 was celebrated by 4 bishops and nearly 100 other priests.
Sea of people attending mass at Our Lady of La Vang Pilgrimage Center
Despite the hot weather in Quang Tri province in recent days, Catholic believers still do not hesitate to travel hundreds of kilometers to attend the important mass that only takes place once a year. They prepare food, drinks, tents, etc. and sleep right at La Vang to wait for the procession of Our Lady of La Vang to take place at 4:30 tomorrow morning (August 15).
This is an important event for parishioners and only happens once a year.
4:30 a.m. August 15th, organize the procession of Our Lady of La Vang
According to the beliefs and legends of Catholic believers, La Vang is one of the seven places in the world where the Virgin Mary has “appeared” and has been recognized by the Vatican. The other six locations include four in France, one in Mexico and one in Ireland. Most of the places where the Virgin Mary has “appeared” have had churches built by the Vatican and annual masses are held.
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