Deepertruth: Join us as we follow the Blessed Virgin Mary to Vietnam 1798

During the violent clashes between the powerful Thinh and Nguyen families (who were fighting each other to rule Vietnam) government officials started to persecute Christians, with each side suspicious that the Christians were helping the other side. After government soldiers destroyed Vietnam's churches and seminaries in 1798, many Christians escaped government oppression by fleeing to the remote mountain jungle of La Vang, Vietnam.

The people who gathered in La Vang's wilderness weren't well prepared to survive there, however. They had to deal with illness, hunger, freezing cold, and attacks from wild animals in the area. Many died. Discouraged, the people began getting together at night to pray for help and encouragement.

Mary and Two Angels by a Banyan Tree

As a group of people prayed beside a huge banyan tree one evening, they saw a brilliant light appear suddenly in front of them, and within the light was an apparition of Mary holding Jesus Christ as a child.

Mary was accompanied by two angels -- one at each of her sides. She was wearing the traditional Vietnamese ao dai dress, a long cape, and a simple crown.

Natural Medicine

Mary spoke words of comfort and encouragement to everyone gathered there, witnesses reported. Then she told them that they could heal themselves from their illnesses by boiling the leaves of the plants and trees that surrounded them in the jungle, to make medicine.

Promising Answers to Prayer

Then, Mary promised to be present in spirit with them as they endured persecution, and declared that everyone who prayed in that place from now on would be guaranteed to receive answers to their prayers.

Spiritual pilgrims have gathered in La Vang from throughout Vietnam ever since to pray for encouragement, guidance, and healing.