Movie on Marian apparition to show at two parishes April 26
Guest column by Tamra Tran
Administrative Assistant,
North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln
In 18th-century Vietnam, amid persecution and uncertainty, a story of hope began that would shape the faith of generations. Devotion to Our Lady of La Vang started in hardship, as Vietnamese Catholics turned to prayer and found a moment of grace that continues to inspire people today.
As Catholicism spread, Emperor Cảnh Thịnh placed strict limits on the faith, and soon after, an anti-Catholic law led to widespread persecution. To find safety, many Catholics escaped to the rainforest of La Vang in Quảng Trị Province. While hiding and facing illness and hardship, the community gathered each evening under a tree to pray the rosary. One night, they saw an extraordinary apparition. A woman in the traditional Vietnamese áo dài (long tunic) appeared in the tree branches beside two angels holding a child. The people recognized her as the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the child was the infant Jesus. Tradition says Our Lady comforted them and told them to boil leaves from nearby trees to cure their illness.
In 1802, after the persecution ended, Christians returned to their villages and shared the story of the apparition and its message of hope. Devotion to Our Lady of La Vang grew and pilgrims began to visit the site to pray and offer incense.
Today, devotion to Our Lady of La Vang continues in Vietnam and around the world. In the United States, the Shrine at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., reflects the lasting faith, resilience, and cultural heritage of the Vietnamese Catholic community. It also reminds us of the power of prayer and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In the summer of 2021, my family and I had the privilege of traveling to Garden Grove to visit the shrine in person. At that time, my father-in-law had recently passed away, and although the loss was still fresh, there was something deeply peaceful and moving about watching my family kneel together in prayer for their father before the shrine of Our Lady of La Vang. In that sacred space, we were reminded that family endures beyond this life — sustained by prayer, strengthened by shared memories and held together by a love that even death cannot take away.
As a convert to the Catholic faith, I continue to discover the richness and depth of what it means to follow Christ within the Church. Over the years, I have learned so much about the beauty of the sacraments, the strength found in prayer, and the wisdom of Catholic teaching, yet I know there is still much more to understand. My mother-in-law, Dao Tran, has been a profound inspiration throughout this journey. A devout Catholic, she, along with her husband, courageously fled Vietnam with their young children to escape the war, eventually building a new life in the United States. Through every hardship, she carried with her a deep love for God and an unwavering devotion to her faith. Her example has not only strengthened my understanding of Catholicism but has also shown me what it truly means to live the faith with trust, patience, and grace.
Through her example, I have learned about Our Lady of La Vang and the important role she plays in the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese community. Seeing my mother-in-law’s devotion has shown me the beauty of perseverance, the power of prayer and the comfort of turning to Mary in times of need. Her faith has deepened my understanding of Catholicism and inspired me to embrace the traditions, prayers and hope that sustain her.
In multicultural parishes such as North American Martyrs in Lincoln, the celebration of Our Lady of La Vang becomes a beautiful bridge between communities. Our parish is blessed to welcome a vibrant Vietnamese community whose deep faith enrich the spiritual life of us all. Through this cherished tradition, cultural heritage and shared belief come together in a powerful witness to unity within the Body of Christ.
When non-Vietnamese parishioners participate in these devotions and festivities, they gain meaningful insight not only into the Vietnamese community’s faith, but in their history and spiritual strength. In 2023, a group of Vietnamese parishioners approached Father Nathan Hall with the desire to celebrate Our Lady of La Vang as a parish to honor this important event within the Vietnamese Catholic tradition. With Father Hall’s leadership in inclusion, the first inaugural celebration occurred at North American Martyrs and has since become an annual celebration for our parish and wider community in the Lincoln Diocese.
Editor's Note: See photos from the 2025 celebration.
This Aug. 16, North American Martyrs will hold our third annual celebration to honor Our Lady of La Vang. This event brings the community together in prayer, cultural fellowship, and devotion to the Blessed Mother. The celebration begins in the church, where a statue of Our Lady of La Vang is carried to the altar. We will then pray the Rosary together, with two decades in English and three in Vietnamese, showing the unity and heritage of our parish. After the prayer service, everyone is invited to the Parish Hall for a reception with authentic Vietnamese food and fellowship. All members of the community are welcome!
The first year of hosting the celebration, we welcomed around 200 people, and the following year, the numbers increased to around 300 people. We hope to continue growing the event each year, bringing even more people together to celebrate. We extend our sincere gratitude to Anna Pham, Cuong and Mary Nguyen, and to all of the Vietnamese parishioners whose hard work and commitment has made the celebration such a success. We are especially thankful for their continued efforts in sustaining and nurturing this beautiful tradition year after year.
In addition, we are happy to announce that North American Martyrs will host a special screening of the award-winning documentary “Our Lady at the Center” Sunday, April 26, after our 11 a.m. Mass. This film tells the story of Our Lady of La Vang, and through personal stories and real-life examples, the documentary shows how Our Lady of La Vang remains a symbol of healing, hope, joy, miracles and faith, touching lives across generations and across cultures.
The film also shares the inspiring story of the shrine dedicated to her at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. This shrine has become a multicultural place that encourages devotion, community, and evangelization. Watching the film is a chance to learn more about one of the world’s most cherished Marian apparitions and to celebrate the lasting faith and unity she inspires.
For Vietnamese Catholics, Our Lady of La Vang is more than a historical devotion. She is a symbol of protection, unity and hope. Our Lady of La Vang, pray for us!
Sunday, April 26: The award-winning documentary “Our Lady at the Center,” about the Our Lady of La Vang apparition in Vietnam and her shrine in the U.S., will be shown at 12:30 p.m. at North American Martyrs Church in Lincoln and at 6 p.m. at the Hastings Museum Theatre in Hastings.
Those attending the Hastings showing need to register in advance, due to limited seating in the theater. No pre-registration is required for the Lincoln showing. Both showings are free and open to all.
