TÀPAO, Lâm Đồng – On October 12 and 13, 2026, Our Lady of TàPao Sanctuary welcomed thousands of pilgrims from everywhere along with more than 1,500 members of the Lay Associations of the Diocese of Phan Thiết during the monthly Rosary pilgrimage celebrating the Feast of Mary – Mother of Mercy.

The pilgrimage program began on the evening of October 12, 2026. The assembly devoutly participated in traditional devotions including the Marian procession, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration at the foot of the Shrine. A special highlight of the vigil was the sacred musical meditation themed “The Rosary – A Prayer of Hope” jointly performed by the Angelo Band and Thiên Ca Choir (Tân Định Parish, Archdiocese of Saigon), featuring singer Hiền Thục, Impact Theatre Saigon, singers Thiên Trinh, Yến Nhi, Ánh Dương, Dương Nhật, and the Hồng Ân and Thiên Ca dance troupes, fostering a prayerful atmosphere of hope for the People of God.

The culmination of the pilgrimage was the Solemn Pontifical Mass on the morning of October 13, 2026, presided over by Bishop Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, Bishop of Phan Thiết. Concelebrating were Vicar General Fr. John Baptist Trần Văn Thuyết, Fr. Peter Trần Thanh Bình – Diocesan Chaplain of Lay Associations, and about 50 priests from within and outside the diocese, joined by religious brothers and sisters, lay association members, and thousands of pilgrims.

Opening the Mass, the Bishop expressed deep empathy for the anxieties, burdens, and sufferings that pilgrims bring to Our Lady of TàPao. He said: “Today, in the light of God’s Word, we walk together through the three steps of the synodal journey: encounter, listening, and discernment. We gather to encounter the Lord and one another, listening to God’s voice through the Sacred Scriptures, and discerning His holy will so as to bring God’s mercy to those who are suffering and lonely in society today.”

Drawing from the three liturgical readings, the Bishop highlighted three practical attitudes: first, imitating Queen Esther in humbly seeking refuge in the Lord during trials and relying on the support of the community rather than bearing burdens alone; second, receiving the grace of forgiveness to live in harmony and making lay associations a synodal home that embraces the vulnerable; third, learning from Our Lady at Cana to have attentive eyes that recognize the needs of others and take concrete action to alleviate their pain.

The Bishop summarized the core message of the pilgrimage day: “We can sum up the Lord’s guidance in these words: ‘Receive God’s mercy, and together with Mary, recognize and uplift those who are suffering.’ When we return home today, let each of us choose to perform a small act of charity: a word of care, an embrace of reconciliation, or a gesture that soothes the pain of someone beside us.”

After the Post-Communion prayer, the Diocesan Chaplain of Lay Associations expressed gratitude to Bishop Joseph, the concelebrating priests, religious, and the entire liturgical assembly. In response, Bishop Joseph encouraged the faithful and announced a special upcoming event on November 13 at Our Lady of TàPao Sanctuary: the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam will be present to celebrate the Closing Session of the Diocesan Inquiry for the Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God – Bishop Pierre Lambert de la Motte.

Social Communications Commission – Diocese of Phan Thiết