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The LaVang Shrine
In 1798, under the reign of King Canh-Thinh, thousands of Vietnamese Catholics took refuge in the deep forest of Lavang, near Quang-Tri, Central Viet-Nam, because of religious persecution. There they suffered hunger, sickness and bitter cold. But one night as they were praying, they were visited by a beautiful Lady in a long cape holding a child with an angel on either side. She presented Herself as MARY, the Mother of God. She encouraged and consoled them. As a special sign of her loving care, She advised them to use the leaves of the surrounding trees to treat their ailments. Later, in one of Her many apparitions She said: “I have accepted your prayers.
From now on, whoever comes here to pray to Me
I will answer and grant all of their pleas.” Here, at the National Shrine, Grotto of Lourdes we honor Our Lady of LaVang and the pilgrims who come here to pay Her homage. The entire memorial was given to the Shrine by Mr. & Mrs. Duong & Kim-Nga T. Tran, in loving memory of their parents and dedicated in 2009.
Pope Benedict recently spoke about the Vietnamese pilgrimages: “In visiting the shrine of Our Lady of LaVang, who is so loved by the Vietnamese faithful, pilgrims come to entrust to her their joys
and sorrows, hopes and sufferings. In this way, they call on God and become intercessors for their families and nation, asking the Lord to infuse in the heart of all people, feelings of peace, fraternity and solidarity, so all the Vietnamese will be more united
every day in the construction of a world based on essential spiritual and moral values, where each one will be recognized because of his dignity as a son of God and be able to go in freedom and as a son toward the Father of Heaven, ‘rich in mercy.’”
We welcome all pilgrims to our newest addition to the Grotto. If you’d like to become a part of Our Lady of LaVang Shrine, plaques are available @ $4,000 and benches @ $30,000 with six year payment plans available.
Please see or call Bill Tronolone in the office, call (301) 447-6725 or Email: tronolone@msmary.edu
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