Marian Days facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marian Days Ngày Thánh Mẫu
Entrance to the 2007 Marian Days.
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 / 37.1565; -94.3095
Years active	44
Inaugurated	June 3, 1978
Most recent	August 3-6, 2023[update]
Next event	August 1-4, 2024[update]
Participants	60,000–100,000
Patron(s)	Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer

Pilgrims beginning to leave after the closing Mass of the 28th Marian Days celebration.

The Marian Days (Vietnamese: Đại Hội Thánh Mẫu) is a very important festival and pilgrimage for Vietnamese American Roman Catholics. It is held every year to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This special event takes place during the first weekend of August. It happens on the 28-acre campus of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer (CRM) in Carthage, Missouri.

Tens of thousands of people come from all over the United States to attend. Some visitors also come from Canada, Vietnam, and Australia.

History of Marian Days

Our Lady of Fatima statue in the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart, located on the Congregation's campus in Carthage, Missouri

How the Congregation Came to the U.S.

In 1975, many members of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer left Vietnam. They were part of a group known as "boat people." They left just before the end of the Vietnam War. These priests and brothers arrived in the United States as refugees.

A Catholic leader named Cardinal Bernard Francis Law invited them to live in Carthage, Missouri. They rented a vacant seminary building for a very low price. Between June and September 1975, many priests and brothers settled in Carthage. This town was mostly Protestant.

The Congregation officially became recognized in the U.S. in 1975. Their main goal was to serve the growing Vietnamese American community.

First Marian Days Celebration

The Congregation held the very first Marian Day event in 1978. It was a celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. About 1,500 Vietnamese Catholics from the Carthage area attended this one-day gathering.

Over the years, Marian Days has grown much larger. It has become a major annual event. Safety is a top priority at Marian Days, with measures in place to ensure a peaceful event for all.

Recent Marian Days Events

In 2011, about 60,000 people attended the 34th Marian Days. Many important church leaders, including bishops, were present. By 2017, the 40th annual Marian Days saw around 100,000 attendees. More bishops and archbishops from various parts of the U.S. and Vietnam also joined the celebrations.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marian Days was put on hold for two years in 2020 and 2021. This was done to protect the health of all the pilgrims.

Festivities and Celebrations

Pilgrims receive communion in a Mass of the 30th Marian Days celebration.

Daily Activities

Each day of Marian Days features a large outdoor Mass. These Masses are held on the CRM grounds. The event also offers chances for Reconciliation and prayer. There are also times for special blessings and workshops. These workshops cover topics for young families, youth, and vocations. Many bishops, priests, and religious brothers and sisters lead the Masses.

Community and Food

Many pilgrims turn the area around the campus into a large campground. Nearby residents often allow people to set up tents on their lawns. On the Wednesday before the event, the brothers and priests hold a Mass and procession. This is in honor of Saint Joseph, who is the patron of Marian Days.

While religious services are central, there are also many other activities. Catholic dioceses with large Vietnamese populations set up big tents. They sell traditional Vietnamese food. The money raised helps parishes, orphanages, or dioceses in Vietnam. Other groups, like the Knights of Columbus, also serve food. Each night, performers entertain the crowds with both folk and popular Vietnamese music.

Main Religious Events

The main schedule includes four Pontifical Masses. These are special Masses led by bishops. The event begins on Thursday with an opening Mass. This Mass honors the Blessed Sacrament. After the Mass, there is a Eucharistic Procession around the Our Lady of Peace Memorial Garden.

On Friday, there is a Pontifical Mass honoring the 117 Vietnamese Martyr Saints. These saints are important figures in Vietnamese Catholic history. The highlight of the event is on Saturday. It begins with a solemn procession of the statue of Our Lady of Fátima. This is followed by a Pontifical Mass honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Closing Ceremony

At the end of the Our Lady of Fatima procession, two long firecrackers are lit. Then, many colorful balloons are released. Some balloons are tied to two flags. One flag is blue and white, representing the Virgin Mary. The other is the flag of South Vietnam from before the country became communist. Many other balloons are released with a Rosary attached. This tradition is a way of offering Vietnam to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Sunday, the closing Pontifical Mass is celebrated. Before the Mass ends, the director of Marian Days announces the date for next year's event. They also thank everyone who helped host the event. Then, Marian Days officially closes.

See also

• Roman Catholicism in Vietnam