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The holy site of La Vang has long been a famous destination in Quang Tri. La Vang is one of the significant pilgrimage sites not only for Catholics but also for non-Catholics and international tourists. Check out the following article from Vntrip.vn to learn about the holy site of La Vang and listen to the miraculous story of the Glorious Mother.
Where is La Vang Located?
The holy site of La Vang is located in the area formerly known as Dinh Cat (during the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang in the 16th century, this area was called Dinh Cat, meaning a palace built on sandy land, sometimes referred to as Cat Dinh). Today, it belongs to Hai Phu Commune, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province. This place is approximately 6km south of Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and 60km north of Hue City. La Vang is the national shrine of the Catholic Church in Vietnam.
Route to La Vang Sanctuary
From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or various other locations wishing to visit Mother La Vang – The Center of Pilgrimage of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, it's quite straightforward. There are several methods and means of transportation available. You can take a train, a North-South bus, or a motorcycle...
If you're traveling by North-South bus (via QL 1A), head to Quang Tri Town – Quang Tri Province, where you can stop at Cau Trang. From there, take a motorcycle taxi or a regular taxi to La Vang Sanctuary (4km away).
If you opt for the train, you can disembark at Dong Ha Station, then take a motorcycle taxi or a regular taxi to La Vang Sanctuary (16km away), or you can choose to stop at Hue Station, which is 57km from La Vang. If you decide to stop at Hue, you can rent a tourist car to explore the Ancient Capital of Hue, then proceed on a pilgrimage to Mother La Vang.
If traveling by motorcycle, in the area of Hai Phu commune, on the left-hand side, there are 2 separate turnings about 5km apart. One place has a sign saying “La Vang 4km”, and another has a sign saying “La Vang Sanctuary 2km”. It's an old road that's quite wide, leading pilgrims to the sanctuary.
Origin of the name “La Vang”
There are 2 legends about the origin of “La Vang”. The first hypothesis is that “La Vang” describes the cry for help when encountering wild animals. Those who venture into the forest and stay overnight usually share a watch. If there's danger, they shout “la vang” to call for help. Alternatively, it could be the loud voices of the faithful when there's something important to communicate because this area has many trees, making it difficult to hear and see each other.
Another hypothesis is that it comes from “lá vằng” (a type of leaf), written without accents as La Vang. When the faithful fled to this area, they were afflicted with disease. At that time, Mother Mary appeared and instructed them to find a type of leaf called “lá vằng” – drinking it would cure their illness. This is a very beneficial herbal leaf, so nowadays many people pick or buy it to consume.
The Legend of the Apparition of Mother Mary
It can be said that La Vang Sanctuary is a piece of land filled with the love of Mother Mary when she appeared to the faithful in 1798 during the reign of King Canh Thinh (son of King Quang Trung).
According to the Archives of the Archbishopric of Hue – 1998, during the reign of King Canh Thinh (ascended the throne in 1792), with the edict prohibiting Christianity on August 17, 1798, some believers near Dinh Cat Hill (now Quang Tri Town) had to seek refuge. They sought sanctuary in the forests of La Vang. In this sacred yet isolated land, amidst poverty, hunger, disease, fear of the army, and wild animals, the faithful had only their unwavering faith in God and Mother Mary to rely on. They often gathered under the shade of ancient banyan trees, praying together, comforting, and helping each other.
One day, as they were praying the rosary together, they suddenly saw a beautiful woman, dressed in a long cloak, carrying a newborn baby in her arms, accompanied by two angels holding lit candles on either side. They immediately recognized her as the Virgin Mary. Mother Mary showed kindness, tenderness, and comfort to the faithful to encourage them to endure hardships. She taught them to pick a certain type of leaf available nearby, boil it into a healing drink for their ailments. Mother Mary also made a promise: “I have heard your pleas. From now on, whoever comes here to earnestly pray to me, I will hear them and bestow grace upon them.”
Mother Mary appeared in La Vang on the grass near the ancient banyan tree where the faithful were praying. All present witnessed this miracle. Subsequently, Mother Mary appeared multiple times to support and comfort her children during times of distress over a hundred years of persecution for their faith. It's thanks to her promise of grace that countless people have come here seeking blessings and honoring her.
What's at La Vang Sanctuary
La Vang Sanctuary, also known as the “Little Holy Palace of La Vang,” has endured many historical and temporal upheavals. Today, La Vang Sanctuary seems to radiate its ancient beauty under the sky of Hai Lang – Quang Tri. The architecture of the church here adheres to the traditional style of Catholic church construction.
However, the mossy green hue of the church adds a distinctiveness, evoking thoughts of historical journeys, not just of the sanctuary itself but also of a bygone era filled with events.
At the heart of the sanctuary complex, there remains the bell tower monument of the Holy Palace of Mother Mary La Vang. This structure was built from 1924 to 1929, major renovations took place in 1959. In the summer of 1972, the Holy Palace was destroyed due to the war.
Located at the spot believed to be where Mother Mary appeared near the ancient banyan tree, a magnificent monument has been erected featuring the image of three banyan trees with Mother Mary La Vang in the center. Additionally, statues of Mother Mary La Vang are placed in various locations within the sanctuary. Mother Mary is often depicted as a woman wearing traditional Vietnamese ao dai attire carrying a child also dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothing.
In front of the bell tower monument of the Holy Palace of Mother Mary La Vang is a spacious square. On either side of the square are the Stations of the Cross – a series of 14 sculptures depicting the stages of Jesus' suffering, from condemnation to crucifixion, and finally entombment.
Furthermore, within the sanctuary grounds, there is the well of Mother Mary La Vang, where every believer who comes here takes a sip of water to show reverence to Mother Mary. Many believers believe that the water from the well has the ability to heal ailments in the body.
La Vang Pilgrimage Festival
The Great Feast of Mother Mary La Vang takes place every 3 years at La Vang Sanctuary. The latest festival, the 31st, was held on August 13th, 14th, and 15th, 2017. Historically, the first Great Feast of Mother Mary La Vang was organized in 1901. Although the exact dates vary, they all fall within the month of August.
Since the 23rd gathering in 1993, the La Vang Festival has occurred every 3 years on August 13th, 14th, and 15th, featuring numerous important rituals and the participation of bishops, priests, monks, and hundreds of thousands of faithful from both domestic and international locales.
During the three-day festival, various activities are organized by different associations, including themed discussions and solemn processions honoring Mother Mary with the participation of devout believers. The procession of Mother Mary is considered a highly significant ritual to honor Mother Mary La Vang during the festival.
Next, there will be an intricately prepared night of prayer and a Eucharistic procession with Mother Mary. The most solemn Mass during the 3-day Festival is the Mass celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the morning of August 15th. This is also the concluding Mass of the Festival.
Wishing you a meaningful pilgrimage to La Vang Sanctuary.
