La Vang Sanctuary has long become a famous tourist destination in Quang Tri. La Vang is one of the important pilgrimage places not only for fellow Catholics but also for non-Catholics and international tourists. Refer immediately to the following article of VietNampeace.vn to learn about the Holy Land of La Vang and listen to the legend of Our Lady of Epiphany.
Where is La Vang Sanctuary?
La Vang Sanctuary is located in an ancient area called Dinh Cat (during the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang in the south of the sixteenth century, this area was called Dinh Cat, ie Dinh built on a sandy land sometimes called Cat Dinh). Today belongs to Hai Phu commune, Hai Lang district, Quang Tri province. This place is about 6km to Quang Tri from the south and 60km to Hue from the north. La Vang Sanctuary is the national Marian center of the Vietnamese Catholic Church.
Road to La Vang Sanctuary
From Hanoi, City. Ho Chi Minh City or some other places that want to visit Mother La Vang – Pilgrimage Center of Vietnamese Catholic Church, very simple. There are many different ways and means. Can go by train, North – South car, motorbike …
If you take the North – South (National Highway 1A), then come to Quang Tri Town – Quang Tri Province, you stop at Cau Trang, then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to La Vang Sanctuary (4km away).
If traveling by train, you can get off at Dong Ha Station then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to La Vang Sanctuary (16km away) or Hue Railway Station 57km from La Vang. Stop at Hue railway station, you can rent a car to visit Hue Old Capital, then pilgrimage to La Vang Mother.
If traveling by motorbike, on the territory of Hai Phu commune, on the left side, there are 2 turns leading to each other about 5km apart, one has a “La Vang 4km” sign, and another has a “La Vang 2km” sign ”Is a fairly wide old road that takes pilgrims into the sanctuary.
Origin of the name “La Vang”
Originating from La Vang, there are 2 legends. The first hypothesis is “La Vang” describes the cry for help when a wild animal comes. People who go to the forest if they stay overnight will often share their watchings; if they find the cave, they will “shout” for people to come and help. Or the voices of parishioners shouting when there is something to say loudly because the area is full of trees, small voices are inaudible and difficult to see each other.
Another theory is that the word “leaves”, written without signs of La Vang. When parishioners fled to this land together, there was an epidemic, at that time Our Lady appeared and showed them to find a leaf called leaves – drinking it will cure the disease. This is a very healthy cooking leaf, so many people pick or buy today.
The legend of Our Lady
It can be said that the Holy Land of La Vang is a land full of the love of Mary when he appeared to the people of God in 1798 under Canh Thinh (son of King Quang Trung).
According to the Archdiocese of Hue – 1998, during the reign of Canh Thinh (ascended the throne in 1792), with the decree of a ban on August 17, 1798, a number of believers were near the hill of Dinh Cat (now the town). Quang Tri commune) have to find a place to hide. They took refuge in La Vang mountains. In the sacred forest of poisoned water, the plight, the lack of food, the sickness, the fear of the army, the fear of the wild animals, the believers only know how to trust in God and the Blessed Mother. They often gather under a big banyan tree, pray, comfort and help each other together.
One day when everyone was praying to the Blessed Mother together, they suddenly saw a beautiful woman, dressed in a long robe, holding an infant, with two angels holding lamps flanking the sides. They immediately recognized the Virgin Mary. Our Lady has shown kindness, affection, and comfort to the people so that they can please suffer hard. Mother taught them to pick a kind of leaves available around it, cook water to heal the disease. Our Lady again promised: “I have accepted your prayers. From now on, anyone who comes to implore her in this place, she will accept and bless them. “
Our Lady appeared in La Vang on the grass near the old banyan tree where lay people were praying. The parishioners who are there see the miracle. After that, she appeared many times to support and comfort her children in the affliction during a hundred years of persecution. It is also thanks to her promise of grace that from the day of Our Lady’s appearance in La Vang so far, so many people have come here to ask for and honor her.
What does the Holy Land of La Vang have?
La Vang holy place, also known as “Emirate of La Vang cathedral”, has experienced many events of history and time. To this day, La Vang Sanctuary seems to radiate all its ancient beauty under a corner of Hai Lang – Quang Tri sky. The architecture of the church here follows the traditional architecture of the Catholic church constructions.
However, the moss color of the church has created a distinctive feature, making it easy for anyone to see for the first time the history paths, not only for the holy place but also for a period of time. full of events, has now passed into the past.
In the heart of the Holy See, today there are relics of the bell tower of the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang. This work was built from 1924 – 1929, renovated in 1959. In the summer of 1972, the Basilica was ruined by the war.
At what is believed to be the place where Our Lady appeared near the old banyan tree, a monumental monument was built with the image of the three banyan trees and Our Lady of La Vang in the middle. And the Statue of Our Lady of La Vang is also placed in many places in the Holy Land. Our Lady is often shown by the image of a Vietnamese woman wearing a Vietnamese traditional dress holding a baby wearing traditional Vietnamese clothes.
In front of the monumental bell tower, the Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang is a large square. On either side of the square is the Via Crucifix – a series of 14 sculptures depicting the course of Jesus’ passion, from his conviction to his crucifixion and final burial in catacombs.
In addition, there is also a well of Our Lady of La Vang where there is a sip of water for each believer when coming here to pay homage to Our Lady. Many believers believe that well water can cure illnesses in the body.
La Vang pilgrimage festival
The Congregation for Our Lady of La Vang is held every 3 years in La Vang Holy Land. The 31st congress is the newest congress on 3, 13, 13, 15, 15, 2017. According to the length of history, the First Congregation of Our Lady of La Vang was held in 1901. Regarding the organization date, There are different but also in August.
Since the 23rd (1993), there has been the La Vang Congress every 3 years on August 13,14,15, with many important ceremonies and with the participation of many Bishops, priests, monks and hundreds of thousands of laity from home and abroad.
During the three days of the Conference, there were usually many forms of activities of some associations, with thematic discussions, and a very solemn gesture of Our Lady with many members of God’s people attending. It can be said that the procession of Our Lady is a very special ritual to honor Our Lady of La Vang at the Conference.
Next, there was a very elaborate evening of prayer and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Mother. The most solemn Mass in the three days of the Conference is the solemn celebration of the Assumption of the Assumption to the Heaven on the morning of August 15. This is also the closing Mass.
Wish you have a meaningful trip to La Vang Sanctuary.
