Tra Kieu: In a powerful display of devotion and unity, more than 10,000 Catholics from the Diocese of Da Nang journeyed to the revered Shrine of Our Lady of Tra Kieu to mark the end of the Marian month of May and spiritually prepare for Pentecost.
The pilgrimage, which unfolded on the Solemnity of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, celebrated a cherished local tradition: the Virgin’s appearance at Tra Kieu 140 years ago to console and strengthen the faithful during times of trial. The faithful gathered in prayer, song, and liturgy at the site believed to have once echoed with Mary’s comforting presence.
Archbishop Joseph Dang Duc, Coadjutor of the Archdiocese of Hue, called the event “a profound act of love, faith, and service,” and an opportunity to courageously proclaim the Gospel amid contemporary challenges.
The pilgrimage held a dual spiritual significance. While it closed the Marian month of May—a time when Catholics across Vietnam honor Mary through rosaries, processions, and outdoor Masses—it also looked ahead to Pentecost, honoring Mary as the “Woman of Pentecost” who accompanied the apostles in the Upper Room.
Vietnam’s Catholic minority, comprising about 7% of the population, maintains a deep-rooted reverence for the Virgin Mary. Pilgrims frequently travel to Marian sites like Our Lady of La Vang, Our Lady of Nui Cui, and Tra Kieu, asking for Mary’s guidance and protection—especially mindful of the Church’s survival during past waves of persecution.
Archbishop Dang Duc described the pilgrimage not only as a spiritual duty, but also as a renewal of collective mission: “This is more than a personal act of piety—it is a communal journey of faith, a living witness to the Church walking together toward evangelization.”
The Diocese of Da Nang holds a special place in Vietnamese Catholic history. It traces its roots back to 1615, when Jesuit missionaries arrived in Hoi An to begin evangelization. In the centuries that followed, the region became a vital center of missionary activity. It now honors among its martyrs Blessed Andrew of Phu Yen, beatified by Pope St. John Paul II.
As pilgrims returned home from Tra Kieu, their hearts carried not only the memory of shared devotion but a renewed zeal for their faith—guided, as ever, by the motherly hand of Mary.