About 50,000 Catholics gathered at La Vang for Vietnam’s 32nd national pilgrimage, where Archbishop Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên urged missionary discipleship after Mary’s example.
Thiên, archbishop of Hanoi and vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, presided over the opening Mass at 6 p.m. following the formal opening ceremony.
Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of Saigon, president of the bishops’ conference, concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Joseph Đặng Đức Ngân of Huế, Bishop Vincent Nguyễn Văn Bản of Hải Phòng and Bishop Peter Kiều Công Tùng of Phát Diệm.
Monsignors and priests from within and outside the Archdiocese of Huế also joined the celebration. The Archdiocese of Hanoi was responsible for the liturgy and choir.
At the start of the Mass, Thiên recalled the tradition of Mary appearing at La Vang amid the suffering of Catholics and offering them consolation.
He cited the promise attributed to Mary: “Have trust, willingly endure suffering. I have heard your prayers. From now on, whoever comes to invoke me in this place, I will hear them and grant favors according to their petitions.”
In his homily, Thiên reflected on the devotion of pilgrims who had traveled from different places to La Vang, describing their return as a journey to their Mother’s home, where they could bring the joys and sorrows of their lives.
Drawing on the Gospel account of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, the archbishop presented Mary as a model of missionary discipleship.
Mary left what was familiar, went beyond herself and carried Jesus to Elizabeth’s household, he said.
“In Mary, the missionary disciple is called to receive the Lord, set out on the journey and bring the Lord to others,” the account of the Mass said.
The Archdiocese of Huế said the pilgrimage was also an occasion for Catholics to renew their faith, deepen unity and love, and become witnesses to the Gospel.
The opening Mass ended with prayers that Mary would accompany, protect and sustain pilgrims and their families and bless the intentions they had brought to La Vang.
The archdiocese said the spirit of the gathering extended beyond those at the shrine to Catholics following the pilgrimage from other parts of Vietnam and overseas.
