Vietnam Pilgrimage: Walking in the Footsteps of Saints and Martyrs
Vietnam Pilgrimage with Fr. Christopher Loh, OCD
We thank God for blessing us with this pilgrimage to Vietnam, a land rich with the legacy of holy saints and martyrs who have sanctified it through the centuries. This is also a land touched by the apparitions and interventions of Our Blessed Mother, who has offered her saving grace during times of great hardship.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Rev. Fr. Christopher Loh, OCD, for leading us as our spiritual director. Thank you for sharing your simplicity, gentleness, and calmness with us pilgrims. We are also deeply grateful to our beloved pilgrims from Penang, who initiated this wonderful journey of faith and warmly welcomed others from across the country to join as a community of believers.
This pilgrimage was a profound experience, offering us the opportunity to encounter God, especially through the intercession of Our Lady of La Vang, Our Lady of Tra Kieu, and the Holy Martyrs.
Northern Vietnam
We began our journey in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi’s rich history is reflected in its architecture, with old buildings showcasing their unique designs from bygone eras. Similarly, the churches bear the marks of French missionary influence, with their distinct blueprints and elegant structures.
Our first stop was St Joseph’s Cathedral, the main and grand cathedral of Hanoi. Unfortunately, it was closed when we arrived, leaving us a little disheartened. However, we proceeded to Cua Bac Church, also known as the Church of Martyrs, where we attended a local Vietnamese Mass. To our surprise, a special event awaited us here. Firstly, our priest, Fr. Christopher, was invited to concelebrate Mass with the parish priest. Secondly, the parish was celebrating the feast day of their local martyr, St Andrew Dũng-Lạc. After Mass, the priests and lay leaders brought out relics of the saint for veneration. This unexpected blessing lifted our spirits and marked the start of our pilgrimage with renewed joy and gratitude.
The next day, we travelled to another province, but a mishap occurred when our bus driver took a wrong turn and missed the planned church. While our guide sought directions, we discovered a beautiful church nearby and decided to explore it. This church, part of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, was home to over 200 nuns and 12 postulants. The congregation is notable as the first female religious order with distinct East Asian roots.
Later, we visited the majestic Phú Nhai Church and Kiên Lao Church, both of which were breathtaking in their scale and intricate French-inspired designs. It was hard to believe such stunning churches could exist in remote areas of Vietnam.
Our next stop was the Phát Diệm Cathedral complex, a masterpiece of traditional Vietnamese architecture. With its stone walls, intricately carved wooden details, and temple-like design, the cathedral left us in awe. We spent time marveling at its beauty and appreciating its historical significance.
Central Vietnam
We flew to Hue the following day and began with a visit to the Citadel, home to the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City. We also visited the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, perched on a hill overlooking the Perfume River.
That evening, we attended a private Mass at the Church of St Francis Xavier, where we had the joy of witnessing a heartfelt reunion between Fr. Christopher and his seminary friend, Fr. Jay Jay, after many years. We were honoured to meet the parish priest, a Monsignor in the Archdiocese of Hue, and later visited the Monastery of St Teresa of Jesus. This monastery, one of 11 Discalced Carmelite monasteries in Vietnam, houses 40 nuns with 12 in formation.
Over the next two days, we paid homage to Our Lady at the Shrines of La Vang and Tra Kieu, both sites of Marian apparitions during times of persecution. These shrines are major pilgrimage destinations for local and international Catholics. We prayed fervently, bringing the petitions of family and friends and entrusting them to the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
Hoi An
After much travelling, we slowed our pace in Hoi An, enjoying leisurely strolls through the historic town. On our last day, we visited the oldest church in Vietnam, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Hoi An. Here, we saw tombs dating back to the 1850s. This town holds special significance as the site where missionaries first set foot in Vietnam and built the country’s first church.
This pilgrimage has been a journey of faith, discovery, and community. Through every blessing and challenge, we have been reminded of God’s presence and the beauty of our Catholic heritage. May this experience inspire us to continue deepening our faith and living as witnesses to His love.
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