Marian Days facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marian DaysNgày Thánh Mẫu
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The entrance to Marian Days in 2007, showing the event's symbol.
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| Genre | Religious, cultural |
| Begins | 1st Thursday of August |
| Ends | Following Sunday |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Carthage, Missouri, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°09′23″N 94°18′34″W / 37.1565°N 94.3095°W |
| Years active | 46 |
| Inaugurated | 1978 |
| Most recent | July 31 – August 3, 2025[update] |
| Next event | August 6-9, 2026[update] |
| Participants | c. 100,000 |
| Patron(s) | Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer |
Marian Days (in Vietnamese: Ngày Thánh Mẫu) is a large festival and religious journey, known as a pilgrimage, for Vietnamese American Roman Catholics. It is held every year on the first weekend of August in Carthage, Missouri. The event honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.
This special event started in 1978. It takes place on the grounds of a group of priests and brothers called the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer (CRM). Every year, tens of thousands of people travel from all over the United States, Canada, Vietnam, and even Europe to attend.
Contents
History of the Festival
A New Beginning in America
After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, which marked the end of the Vietnam War, many people left Vietnam. Among them were about 178 members of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer. They arrived in the United States as refugees.
A Catholic leader named Cardinal Bernard Francis Law helped them find a new home. He invited them to a former college in Carthage, Missouri. This place became their new monastery, a home for religious life and prayer.
The First Marian Days
The Congregation held the first Marian Day in June 1978. It was a one-day event to celebrate the Immaculate Heart of Mary. About 1,500 Vietnamese Catholics came to pray and worship together. The idea for the event came from a tradition in Vietnam, where people prayed to the Virgin Mary for peace.
The festival grew quickly. By 1979, it expanded to a full weekend. It was dedicated to celebrating Vietnam being placed under Mary's protection in 1960. By 1987, about 35,000 people were attending. For many Vietnamese refugees, it felt like a religious New Year.
What Happens at Marian Days?
Marian Days starts on the first Thursday of August and ends on the following Sunday. So many people come that local hotels fill up fast. Many families bring campers or tents and camp out on the monastery grounds or even in the yards of local residents.
The city of Carthage has a population of about 12,500 people. During Marian Days, the number of people in the town can grow to 100,000! While it gets very crowded, many local residents enjoy the festival. They look forward to seeing the same families camp in their yards each year.
A Mix of Faith and Culture
The festival is a vibrant mix of American and Vietnamese traditions. You can find food stalls selling everything from boba tea and fried Twinkies to traditional Vietnamese foods like pho (a noodle soup) and bao (steamed buns).
Throughout the day, there are many religious activities. These include daily Mass, opportunities for confession, and special talks. The festival is a very important way for Vietnamese families to connect with their faith and their heritage.
A big highlight is the procession on Saturday night honoring Our Lady of Fatima. People release blue and white balloons for Mary, and red and yellow balloons, which are the colors of the former flag of South Vietnam. The night ends with a beautiful fireworks display.
See also
- Roman Catholicism in Vietnam
