How was your weekend? Where do you plan to go?
Today, let's go to a famous place in Quang Tri province. That place is called the La Vang holy land or the pilgrimage center of Our Lady of La Vang. Catholic youth living in Hue often visit their mother together at the end of the month to thank my mother for giving us peace for the whole month and to pray with her wishes for the new month. Perhaps those of you who are not Catholic will think we are superstitious, right? But for us, it's Faith.
La Vang Holy Land
It is located 60 km north of Hue city, we went there by motorbike and it took about 1 hour at a speed of 60-80 km/h.
The origin of the name "La Vang"
Originating from La Vang, there are 2 legends.
The first theory is that “La Vang” describes the cry for help when seeing wild animals. Those who go to the forest, if they stay overnight, they often share the vigil, if they see movement, they will "scream" for everyone to come to their rescue. Or the voice of the parishioners shouting loudly when there is something to say loudly because this area has many trees, speaking in low voices is difficult to hear and see each other.
Another theory is that the word La Vang is the name of a tree. When the parishioners ran up to this land together, when there was an epidemic, at that time Our Lady appeared and showed them to look for a type of leaf - drinking it will cure the disease. This is a kind of cooking leaf that is very good for health, so many people today pick it up or buy it to drink.
The Story of the Epiphany of Our Lady
It can be said that La Vang Holy Land is a land full of the love of Our Lady when she appeared to God's people in 1798 under King Canh Thinh.
According to the document of the Archbishopric of Hue - 1998, during the reign of King Canh Thinh (enthroned in 1792), with a decree banning religion on August 17, 1798, some of the faithful near Dinh Cat hill (now the town of Ho Chi Minh City). Quang Tri had to find a place to hide. They took refuge in the mountains of La Vang. In the sacred forest with poisonous water, poor conditions, lack of food, disease, fear of military officers, fear of wild animals, believers can only trust in God and Our Lady. They often gather together under the ancient banyan tree, together to pray, comfort, and help each other.
Our Lady appeared in La Vang on the grass near the old banyan tree where parishioners were praying. The parishioners present saw this miracle. After that, she appeared many times to support and comfort her children during their one hundred years of persecution and martyrdom. It is also thanks to her promise of grace that since the day Our Lady appeared in La Vang until now, so many people have come here to ask for and honor her.
What does the holy place of La Vang look like?The holy land with the vestiges of history, the mossy color of the church, as well as the surrounding landscape all, create a distinct beauty - ancient beauty.
In the center of the Holy Land, today remains the remains of the bell tower of the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang. This work was built from 1924 - 1929, restored in 1959. In the summer of 1972, the Basilica was destroyed due to war.
In front of the bell tower of the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang is a large square. On either side of the square is the Way of The Passion of The Christ – a series of 14 sculptures, depicting the progression of Jesus' passion, from his conviction to his crucifixion and finally his burial in St. crypt. In addition, at the pilgrimage center, there is holy water well for those who come to ask for water to bring back for treatment and behind the statue of the mother, there is a stele of the martyrs creating a majestic, solemn, and mysterious look here.
Currently, at the pilgrimage center of Our Lady of La Vang, a new sanctuary is being built with majesty and magnificence with turquoise tile color, white background similar to the color of Mary's clothes.
The first time I came here was in 2018 when I was not yet a Catholic, I didn't know about the story of Our Lady La Vang, but with the grace, she gave me from the first day I came. I am now close to becoming a part of the Lord's house. My faith in Jesus Christ and the blessings I received from Mary have led me to become a Catholic.
La Vang Sanctuary has long become a famous tourist destination in Quang Tri. La Vang is one of the important pilgrimage sites not only for Catholics but also for non-Catholics and international tourists. If you are not a Catholic, consider this as a place to check-in, the scenery here is really beautiful.