ĐuC ME LAvANG, OuR LADy Of LAvANG

Karla Alvarez, Director of Multicultural Ministries

eliminate any representation of Catholicism by burning churches, villages, and taking land from the Christians. It was ordered to brand all Catholics with two words on their cheeks “ta dao” which means “heretics”.

I FIRST HEARD ABOUT OUR LADY OF LAVANG IN NOVEMBER 2022 WHEN MY MOTHER AND I VISITED THE BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. I was in awe upon entering the chapel dedicated to Our Lady. The ceiling of the chapel was covered with blue glass and the walls had mosaics depicting villagers seeking the intercession of Our Lady and of the Martyrs of Vietnam.

The first apparition of Our Lady of Lavang occurred in 1798 during the reign of the emperor Tu Đu’c. Catholics were seen as heretics for not practicing Buddhism and Emperor Tu Đu’c forbade Catholicism out of fear of a rebellion. Thousands of Catholics were then tortured, punished, and even executed for not renouncing their faith. Tu Đu’c wanted to

During this tragic time in Vietnam, the persecuted villagers sought refuge in the rain forest of the Quang Tri Province. Many of these villagers were fleeing from persecution and at the same time were battling illness. Every evening the villagers that were hiding in the rainforest would gather under a particular tree to pray. One night the villagers recount the apparition of a woman holding a baby in her arms. The woman and the baby were both wearing traditional Vietnamese clothing and with them were two angels, one on either side. It was understood that the woman and child were Mary, our mother, and baby Jesus. The villagers that were praying received comfort as well as healing for the illness that many were suffering from. You may be wondering how the villagers were healed and the answer is simple. Our Lady told them to gather the leaves from the trees around and to boil them for medicine. The news of the apparition spread, and more and more people came to pray at the site to receive comfort. Although this was not the end of the persecution, it was the beginning of a newfound hope for the future.

Today Our Lady of Lavang is venerated and recognized by our Catholic Vietnamese brothers and sisters and is an essential part of their faith and culture. Our mother Mary, once again, demonstrates the love and care she has for us, her children, and she reminds us that we are not alone even in the darkest hours of our suffering. Let us encourage one another to always seek her intercession and comfort.

Đu’c Mẹ Lavang, xin cầu nguyện cho chúng con Our Lady of Lavang, pray for us