Catholics in northern Vietnam marked the opening days of 2026 with renewed devotion to the Vietnamese Martyrs following a deanery pilgrimage at So Kien and the recent transfer of martyr relics from France to the national shrine.
On Jan. 2, the Thanh Oai Deanery organized a pilgrimage in honor of the Vietnamese Martyrs at the National Pilgrimage Center in So Kien, drawing priests, religious, and lay faithful for prayer, reflection, and the celebration of the Eucharist.
According to the Archdiocese of Hanoi, the pilgrimage invited Catholics to reflect on the witness of the martyrs and to live out their faith through daily sacrifice and fidelity.
Pilgrims visited relics and historical artifacts linked to the martyrs, including chains and objects associated with their imprisonment, prompting reflection on those who gave their lives for the Gospel.
At the Minor Basilica of So Kien, the faithful gathered for Eucharistic adoration and received the sacrament of reconciliation in preparation for the new year.
Before Mass, priests and pilgrims assembled at the shrine housing the martyrs’ relics to offer incense and venerate the saints.
The highlight of the pilgrimage was a Mass presided over by Dean Father Peter Tran Van Viet, with concelebrating priests from the Thanh Oai Deanery and the participation of religious men and women, parishioners from the deanery, and members of the So Kien parish community.
In his opening remarks, Father Viet emphasized the continuing relevance of martyrdom in Christian life today, saying, “Martyrdom is living witness to the faith each day. It is constant sacrifice in one’s duties, and love for God made concrete through love for one’s neighbor.”
He prayed for the intercession of the Vietnamese Martyrs so that believers might grow in love for God through daily acts of charity and sacrifice.
The homily was delivered by Father Peter Tran Van Duy, parochial vicar of Thach Bich parish, who reflected on discipleship through the image of the Cross.
He underscored that following Christ requires self-denial and the daily carrying of life’s burdens, noting that the Cross remains central to Christian growth and perseverance in faith.
The pilgrimage followed a significant ecclesial event in Paris two days later that further strengthened the national importance of the So Kien shrine.
On Jan. 4, the Paris Foreign Missions Society presented six relics associated with Vietnamese martyrs to the Archdiocese of Hanoi during a ceremony at the society’s headquarters on Rue de Bac in Paris.
The relics were entrusted for display and veneration at the National Pilgrimage Center honoring the Vietnamese Martyrs at So Kien.
The relics were handed over by Father Vincent Général, superior general of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, to Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam.
Bishop Joseph Do Manh Hung of Phan Thiet, secretary general of the bishops’ conference, was also present, along with priests currently studying at the mission house.
The items include preserved artifacts and pieces of clothing associated with several Vietnamese martyrs and missionaries, reflecting the Paris Foreign Missions Society’s long-standing historical ties to the Church in Vietnam.
Later that afternoon, Archbishop Thien met with scholars, international priest-students, staff members, and volunteers at the mission house, where he delivered a presentation on missionary efforts in Vietnam, past and present.
Earlier the same day, the society conferred honorary membership on Archbishop Thien and Bishop Hung, recognizing their relationship with the mission society and their contributions to its missionary work.
Church leaders said the events underscore the continuing role of So Kien as a focal point of national devotion, linking the historical witness of the martyrs with contemporary faith life in Vietnam.
