Tan Trieu Parish Solemnly Opens the Month of Flowers in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2026

(NSGH) On May 2 and 3, 2026, Tan Trieu Parish solemnly celebrated the Opening of the Month of Flowers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in an atmosphere of reverence, devotion, and filial love for Our Lady. A large number of parishioners gathered to participate in the floral offering ceremonies, Holy Masses, and various Marian devotions traditionally held during the month of May, which the Catholic Church dedicates to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The flowers offered during the celebration were not merely symbols of beauty and reverence, but also expressions of faith, sacrifice, and the heartfelt “Fiat” of the faithful entrusted to the Blessed Mother. Through hymns, graceful floral dances, and acts of devotion, the children, mothers, and parish organizations together created a solemn and meaningful Marian celebration.

The parish also expressed sincere gratitude to the Religious Sisters, parish groups, and all volunteers who quietly contributed their time and effort in preparation, decoration, sound and lighting arrangements, and overall coordination, helping the opening ceremony take place in a dignified and prayerful manner.

More than a longstanding tradition, the Month of Flowers is an invitation for the faithful to turn their hearts toward the Blessed Virgin Mary — model of humility, obedience, and complete trust in God — and to imitate her virtues through lives of love, service, and fidelity in daily life.

Tan Trieu Parish, located in Vinh Hiep Hamlet, Tan Binh Commune, Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province, is known as one of the oldest Catholic parishes in southeastern Vietnam.

According to historical records, in 1615 Jesuit missionaries arrived in southern Vietnam and established some of the earliest Catholic communities in the region. Over time, Catholics gathered in large numbers on Da Lua Island and formed Da Lua Parish, where a temporary chapel was erected for worship and prayer.

In 1778, Bishop Pierre Pigneau de Béhaine (Bishop Bá Đa Lộc) came to support the community and renamed Da Lua Parish as Tan Trieu Parish, while also establishing a seminary there. Throughout its long history, generations of parish priests and parishioners continued to build, restore, and expand the church in response to the growing pastoral needs of the faithful.

Most notably, on March 24, 2003, the parish community, together with Dean Father Philliphê Lê Văn Năng of Biên Hòa Deanery, began the construction of a new and spacious church building, which remains in use today.

On October 7, 2022, Tan Trieu Parish joyfully welcomed Father Phêrô Trần Quốc Tuấn as parish priest, entrusting him with the mission of shepherding and accompanying the parish community in their journey of faith.

With more than four centuries of formation and development, Tan Trieu Parish remains not only a place preserving precious Catholic traditions and heritage, but also a spiritual home where generations of faithful continue to live in unity, charity, and service according to the Gospel.