Tens of thousands of Catholics gathered in Vietnam for the dedication of the Shrine at the Our Lady of Núi Cúi Pilgrimage Center, which Church leaders said could develop into an international destination for pilgrims.
The Oct. 14 dedication in the Diocese of Xuân Lộc coincided with the diocese’s 61st anniversary and drew bishops from 27 dioceses, more than 500 priests, religious men and women, and Church representatives from Vietnam and abroad.
Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the Holy See’s resident representative in Vietnam, attended the celebration along with Church representatives from Australia, France, Laos and the United States.
Bishop John Đỗ Văn Ngân of Xuân Lộc presided over the Mass and the rite of dedication.
In his homily, Bishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Khảm of Mỹ Tho said the shrine’s mission was rooted in leading pilgrims to Christ through Mary.
Referring to Mary’s words at the wedding feast at Cana, he said, “Do whatever He tells you,” and asked whether “Through Mary, to Jesus” could be considered the guiding idea of the Our Lady of Núi Cúi Pilgrimage Center.
He said pilgrims who come to Núi Cúi should ultimately hear the invitation, “Come to Her Son, Jesus.”
Khảm also linked the shrine to a broader vision of communion, saying its meaning extended beyond the Catholic community to other Christians, followers of other religions and the wider human family.
“There is only one bread, and all of us partake of that one bread, so though we are many, we are one,” he said.
The bishop said the pilgrimage center should become a place where priests, religious and lay Catholics could find peace, draw strength in times of trial and rekindle their faith.
He expressed hope that Núi Cúi would eventually receive not only thousands or tens of thousands of pilgrims, but millions and tens of millions, and grow from a national pilgrimage center into an international one.
The dedication rite included the placing of a relic of St. Andrew Nguyễn Kim Thông beneath the altar, followed by the prayer of dedication, the anointing of the altar and shrine walls, incensation and the lighting of the church.
After the Mass, Zalewski praised the faith and sacrifices that went into building the center.
“The stones make up the physical structure, but the countless stones of faith that God has formed, is forming and will continue to form are even more beautiful in the heart of each person,” he said. “May this be a place where God grants grace to those who come on pilgrimage, so that when they return, they may bring His love and mercy to everyone.”
Archbishop Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên of Hanoi, speaking on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, said the pilgrimage center had grown beyond being a nationally significant project and had taken on an international character.
He said it was not only a physical structure but also a work of faith reflecting the devotion of Catholics in Xuân Lộc to Mary and their trust that, through her, they may become faithful disciples of Jesus.
Retired Bishop Dominic Nguyễn Chu Trinh, who oversaw the development of the pilgrimage center even after his retirement, credited its completion to God’s grace and the support of the faithful.
“If it were not for God’s grace and the contributions and help of everyone … I could do nothing,” he said.
Bishop Ngân thanked Church leaders, architects, engineers, benefactors and Catholics who helped build the center.
“Today, the diocese would like to express its sincere gratitude to everyone,” he said.
All photos by the Diocese of Xuân Lộc
