By Fr. Joseph, SDB
Hoa An, Viet Nam, 29 May 2018 -- Vietnamese Catholics have traditionally regarded May as the month of flowers, dedicating it to our Blessed Virgin Mary. They manifest their love for our Blessed Mother in a variety of Marian devotions. The Salesian parish of Hoa An (in the north of Viet Nam) fosters this devotion through reciting the Rosary and Marian ceremonial offering of flowers, “Dang Hoa” – it is like traditional dance while offering colorful flowers to Mary. Moreover, Hoa An parish celebrates the month of flowers in Salesian way fostering our Lady Help of Christians.
At the beginning of May, the parish held a solemn procession in honor of Mary and Dang Hoa in front of the statute of Mary Help of Christians, outside the church. Not only parishioners of Hoa An but also a good number of the faithful from neighboring parishes attended this Marian event. It was the expression of intense filial love towards Mary from Her sons and daughters.
The whole month of May has marked with Marian activities. One of them was welcoming the statute of Mary to each family, together with reciting the Rosary. This practice often takes place during May and October every year, which has fostered love for our Blessed Mother in several Vietnamese generations. Every Saturday evening, during the month of May, the whole parish community gathered in front of the statute of Mary Help of Christians for Dang Hoa.
The highlight of the month of flowers was the Feast of Mary Help of Christians in Hoa An parish. The Holy Mass was presided over by Most reverend Cosmas Hoang Van Dat, S.J., bishop of Bac Ninh and concelebrated by a good number of diocesan priests. Not only Catholics but also non-Catholics in the neighborhood participated in the event.
This year, the month of Mary has been beautifully celebrated in Hoa An parish. In imitation of Don Bosco, the Salesians commit themselves to instill the love for Mary Help of Christians in the hearts of the faithful. May our Blessed Mother always protect and accompany us, her children, in every moment of our earthly journeys.
