Last Sunday I went with Bishop Nang to celebrate confirmation at Ngoc Cao parish. This village was founded as a refuge from the communists. Many of the Catholic who did not want to flee south came here.
Ngoc Cao is located in the middle of a circle of mountains, far from any cities. It is difficult to get to, and floods when the fall rains come. This is the rectory and parish center.
It's a very hot day, almost 100, but confirmation is very important, so everyone is dressed in their finest. The women wear their beautiful ao dais.
This is the view from the front of the church facing ot. You can see the mountains in the distance.
There are few places where flowers are planted in Vietnam, and here is one. They are lovingly tended by the parish.
The side of the church and the trees provide much needed shade. For processions, red tile is placed around the church. Notice the cut stone steps and French style shutters.
Longan is in season and this boy decided to get some for his family. The tree is next to the church and he just climbed up to get them before the mass.
The men elders enter first, followed by the band. Each village has a band that plays for all important occasions.
Next follow the women elders. The ao dais are are not only beautiful, but also very cool in the hot summer sun.
At the end of the procession is Fr. Hung and the bishop. Fr. Hung is the pastor of a neighboring parish, but he is substituting for a priest who is away. He's a really funny guy and afterward we had a great lunch with all the trimmings. Such a beautiful and loving place to spend a Sunday morning.
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