As the story goes, a group of Catholics fled into the forest of La Vang in central Vietnam. They prayed for guidance, and the Virgin appeared. She consoled them, saying their faith would see them through any test. Pope John Paul II canonized them in 1988. And these days, Catholics in Vietnam still wage a spiritual battle this one against secular communism.
Many priests remain under arrest.
Those allowed to celebrate Mass are often forced to repudiate allegiance to the pope. The government bars or restricts practice for lay believers. We are thriving abroad, hoping for the day when our compatriots regain full rights to profess their faith. We have not forgotten Mary's words of hope at La Vang. Indeed, Saturday's ceremony held its share of triumph.