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Trang Ðầu
| Tiểu Sử Các Thánh
| Lịch Sử Giáo Xứ
| Vườn Trẻ
| Nối Kết
| Phân Ưu
| Bảo Trợ
| Liên Lạc |
Trường Việt Ngữ
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Our Lady of La
Vang is the central and national shrine of Vietnam, approximately 60 kilometers
from the former capitol Hue. The name is derived from a type of ferm which used
to grow in great quantities in the region. During the great persecution
(1798-1801) many Christians took refuge in the jungle situated in proximity of
Quang Tri, a village in central Vietnam, where they experienced hunger and
sickness, and prepared themselves for martyrdom. One day, as the community was
assembled in prayer, the figure of a lady surrounded by many lights, appeared to
them. She presented herself as the Mother of God, encouraged and consoled them,
and gave them a special sign of her loving care. She advised the people to use
the leaves of the fern to treat their ailments, and promised them to receive
their prayers with maternal generosity. All who would congregate on this site to
pray would be heard and their petitions granted. Mary appeared on several
occasions at the same site. After the persecution in 1802, the Christians left
their jungle hiding place and returned to their villages. However, the story of
the apparition and its message was passed on. In 1820 a chapel was built at the
apparition site. From 1820-1885 still another wave of persecution decimated the
Christian population. More than 100,000 Vietnamese Christians died as martyrs.
In 1885 the chapel in honor of Our Lady of La Vang was destroyed by a fanatic. A
new chapel was built between 1886 and 1901 (consecration). Soon it was no longer
able to hold the many pilgrims to La Vang, and in 1923 a new and bigger church
was erected. It was consecrated in 1928 (August 22) in the presence of 20,000
pilgrims. Every three years a national pilgrimage was organized for the whole
country which was to have a special meaning even after the separation of South
and North. In 1959 La Vang was officially declared a national shrine, marking
the 300 years of the Church's presence in Vietnam (AAS 51 (1959) 84-86). The
Church of La Vang was made a basilica minor in 1961.
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