Our Lady of La Vang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady of La Vang |
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| Location | La Vang, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam |
| Date | 1798 |
| Witness | group of Vietnamese Catholics |
| Type | Marian apparition |
| Approval | still pending. |
| Shrine | Minor Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang |
Our Lady of La Vang is the name given to a special appearance of the Virgin Mary in Vietnam. This event was reported in 1798. It happened at a time when followers of the Catholic faith were being treated very badly and even killed in Vietnam. In Vietnamese, she is called Đức Mẹ La Vang or Mẹ La Vang.
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What Does the Name "La Vang" Mean?
Some experts think the name "La Vang" comes from a plant that grew in the area. La means "leaf" and Vang means "herbal seeds." So, it could mean "leaf of herbal seeds."
Others believe the name comes from a Vietnamese phrase meaning "crying out." This would describe how the Vietnamese Catholics were "crying out" to God for help during a difficult time. Some also think it might simply be the name of the rainforest itself.
A Story from History
In the late 1700s, the Emperor Canh Thinh was worried about the growth of Catholicism. He made a rule that banned practicing the Catholic faith. Soon after, he made an even stricter rule. This rule said that if you were Catholic, you could be put to death.
Many Catholics had to hide to stay safe. They found refuge in the thick rainforest of La Vang, in Quang Tri Province. This small group of people would gather every night. They would pray together at the foot of a large tree.
One night, something amazing happened. A lady appeared in the branches of the tree. She was wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress called an ao dai. She was holding a baby, and two angels were with her. The people who saw her believed she was the Virgin Mary, and the baby was Jesus. They said the lady comforted them. She also told them to boil leaves from the tree. She said this medicine would help cure their illnesses.
In 1802, many Catholics returned to their homes. They shared the story of the special appearance. Soon, many people started visiting the spot where it happened. They came to pray and offer thanks. A small chapel was built there in 1820.
From 1830 to 1885, there was another period of harsh treatment against Catholics. Many Catholic people were killed. The chapel of Our Lady of La Vang was destroyed during this time. But in 1886, a new chapel was built in its place.
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What the Vatican Says
The Vatican has not officially said that this was a "Marian apparition." This means it's not formally recognized as a miracle by the Catholic Church.
However, Pope John Paul II publicly spoke about Our Lady of La Vang. He recognized how important this story was to many people. He also said he wanted to rebuild the La Vang Basilica. This was to honor the 200th anniversary of the first reported appearance.
Images for kids
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This plant was brought from La Vang, now in Washington DC
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Panorama
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"Our Lady of Lavang" Vietnam Catholic Church in New Orleans
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"Our Lady of Lavang" Vietnam Catholic Church in New Orleans
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Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Mission (Giáo Xứ Đức Mẹ La Vang Miami) in Hallandale Beach, Florida
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Our Lady of Vietnam Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Our Lady of Lavang Catholic Church in Houston, TX.
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Our Lady of La Vang Happy Valley, Oregon
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Our Lady of La Vang ( Họ Đạo Đức Mẹ La Vang) Catholic Church in Greer, South Carolina
