Today we all went to the mass in honor of the 117 Vietnamese Catholics who lost their lives during the 1820s and 1830s. Here are all my students at the church before the procession.
This is the memorial to the martyrs. We all sat under large tents or trees to watch. An estimated 4,000 people came to take part in the celebration.
As always, the large drums played. The bell in the tower rang out, a bell being the symbol of God, of heaven. In response, we humans are the drum, responding to God's call. I have to say they were really loud.
Before mass began, there was a procession of the elders, sisters, priest, deacons, and various members of the parishes. Carried on the shoulders of men and women were relics of five of the martyrs.
Most of the transitional deacons (those who are to become priests within the year) have been my student. I am so proud of them. We got to hang out afterwards and talk.
This is only one of the tents and, and you can see, the crowd goes really far back. But even with the covering and the early hour (7:30 a.m.), it was hot.
This is a shot from the back of the large courtyard looking forward to the shrine. Mass was said by the bishop and the singing provided by an amazing choir.
After the mass, we all got a chance to have some water, yogurt, and just chat. I came with Frs. Vong, An, and Luyen. We were the last to leave, and I took this shot of an empty courtyard used by the parishioners to pray and meditate. How beautiful. So much music and so many people melted into calm and quiet. This is all so Vietnam.
There are so many children here this year that I have a difficult time trying to get a photo of everyone, so here is a sample of their smili...
Yesterday, I went with Fr. Hien and my English students to Sam Son beach. This is my third time there and it was beautiful as usual, alth...