When speaking about Marian Days, we must honestly acknowledge that it began with only a simple idea—an inspiration that leads us to believe with confidence that the Blessed Virgin Mary herself enlightened those responsible for her community (CRM).

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After the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monthly Magazine and the Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Movement received ecclesiastical permission to resume their apostolate overseas, our only desire was to organize a single day to gather members of the Reparation Movement at the Provincial Headquarters. The purpose was to honor and make reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the occasion of the upcoming Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was also intended as an opportunity to promote devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and encourage the faithful to live out the three requests Our Lady gave at Fatima. This had been the vision of the Founder of the Congregation from the very beginning, when he received the inspiration to establish the vocation and apostolate of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer. He regarded devotion to the Blessed Mother as a special means through which the apostolate could more effectively glorify God. For that reason, our Congregation has always sought to preserve this spirit as a treasured tradition for future generations.

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When the idea of organizing this first Day of Reparation was proposed, some of the brothers thought that perhaps 300 people would attend, or at most 500. But if pilgrims came for the celebration, there arose the question of providing meals for them. When this complicated matter was discussed, some of the priests and religious who had studied in Europe, drawing from their own experience, insisted: “Pilgrims normally provide for themselves. It is simply not possible for the organizers to provide food for everyone.” The late Fr. Peter Trần Điển, who was then retired and living at the monastery and who had extensive experience organizing large gatherings in Vietnam, expressed the same opinion: “I organized large gatherings at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in Vietnam. Pilgrims always had to provide their own meals. The organizing committee could not possibly take care of everyone’s food.”

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Recognizing that these opinions were reasonable, the Congregation agreed. As a result, during that first Day of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, restaurants and grocery stores throughout the city were nearly emptied because of the unexpected demand from the pilgrims. Beginning the following year, the organizers invited Vietnamese parishes and communities to operate food booths to serve pilgrims. At the same time, these booths became an opportunity for the parishes and communities to raise funds for their own ministries. Because it was impossible to predict how many people would attend, the Organizing Committee asked priests serving Vietnamese parishes and communities to submit in advance an estimated number of pilgrims they would be bringing. Even this preparation helped only to a certain extent. Most of the priests attending were members of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer who were serving in various places and accompanying groups of their own parishioners. Only a few priests from outside the Congregation attended. Nevertheless, the number of pilgrims reached more than 1,500—far beyond anyone’s expectations.

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I. WHY THE NAME “MARIAN DAYS” WAS USED

In the following years, the organizers humbly continued to use the name “Marian Days,” rather than the more ambitious title “Marian Congress,” as some people had become accustomed to calling it. From the very beginning, we understood that ours was only a small religious community. We never dared to compare ourselves with larger and more influential organizations, nor did we imagine that this gathering would someday become a Marian pilgrimage center of national or international importance like the great shrines found elsewhere in the world.

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During the second Marian Days, attendance increased to approximately 2,600 people. Many priests and men and women religious participated. Among the distinguished guests were Cardinal John Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis, and Bishop Bernard F. Law, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, who was a great benefactor and supporter of the Province. Seeing the spiritual benefits of the gathering, they encouraged us to continue organizing Marian Days every year.

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Although the spiritual fruits were evident, the work placed a tremendous burden on the brothers. For that reason, some of the Provincial leaders suggested holding Marian Days only once every three years, similar to the Marian Congress at La Vang in Vietnam. Others suggested every two years. Still others reasoned that if the burden became too great and exceeded our ability to continue, even though the local bishop had encouraged us to hold the event annually, his recommendation did not strictly oblige us to do so.

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But when we considered the many spiritual fruits that had already been received—people returning to God and being reconciled with Him, many becoming more fervent in their Catholic faith, and greater honor, love, and devotion being offered to God and the Blessed Mother—we asked ourselves: Why should we not continue? Many missionaries labor tirelessly, traveling from place to place in order to bring even a few souls back to God. Here, however, we had been given a wonderful opportunity to gather many people around the Blessed Virgin Mary, so that she might more easily lead them to her Son, helping them to love and serve Him. In the end, the Council unanimously accepted the proposal: “We will celebrate Marian Days every year.”

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II. THE EARLY OBSTACLES

At that time, the small city of Carthage had a population of only about 12,000 people. Many of its residents were retired and accustomed to a peaceful and quiet environment. Therefore, organizing a large and lively religious gathering naturally created some difficulties. During the early years, we were still unfamiliar with local customs. Even something as simple as the brothers playing ball enthusiastically during afternoon recreation sometimes irritated a few neighbors. As preparations for Marian Days began, testing the outdoor sound system occasionally caused complaints because the sound carried into nearby neighborhoods. On some occasions, neighbors even called the police.

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A more serious challenge involved misunderstanding concerning Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. For many Christians belonging to Protestant denominations, public expressions of Catholic devotion to Mary were difficult to understand. Some believed Catholics honored the Blessed Mother excessively or even worshiped her. From their perspective, Mary was simply a creature chosen by God to serve as the means through which Christ entered the world, and therefore they believed all worship and religious devotion should be directed to God alone.

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Because of this misunderstanding, during some Marian Days a number of strongly opposed individuals printed eight to ten different kinds of pamphlets criticizing Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some of these pamphlets were even printed bilingually in English and Vietnamese. However, they appeared to have very little influence on the Vietnamese pilgrims. Those who received them usually simply discarded them. Occasionally, individuals even entered the Marian Days grounds and gathered in small groups, telling pilgrims: “We have come here to save you from going to hell because you worship Mary!” In such situations, the police would usually arrive within a few minutes and ask them to leave the property because their actions interfered with the religious freedom of others.

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III. THE VISIBLE FRUITS OF MARIAN DAYS

The positive fruits of Marian Days gradually became evident to everyone, especially to the people of the local community. Carthage was a very small Missouri city of only about 12,000 residents. It had few attractions that would normally bring large numbers of visitors. There were no major tourist landmarks, magnificent historical monuments, large entertainment centers, casinos, or famous restaurants. Yet Marian Days began attracting large numbers of visitors from throughout the country, transforming the city each year into an unusually active and vibrant place.

According to official statistics published by the Marian Days Organizing Committee in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monthly Magazine, attendance during the first ten years grew as follows: 1,540 pilgrims in 1978; 2,230 in 1979; 4,245 in 1980; 6,300 in 1981; 8,500 in 1982; 16,000 in 1983; 20,000 in 1984; 24,000 in 1985; 30,000 in 1986; and 40,000 in 1987. In later years, attendance continued increasing to such an extent that it became impossible to obtain an exact count. There was no longer enough parking on the Marian Days grounds. Vehicles had to park along nearby roads, on the athletic fields of a high school located behind the monastery grounds, and even in the parking lots of neighboring Protestant churches when those facilities were available.

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From that point onward, attendance numbers could only be estimated based on the largest crowds present on Saturday afternoon during the procession of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the Solemn Mass honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Depending upon estimates from the Carthage Police Department, newspapers, and television stations, attendance reached 50,000, then 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, and 90,000. By 2017, some estimates placed attendance at approximately 100,000 pilgrims.

Over the years, opposition gradually disappeared. On the contrary, neighboring Protestant churches became increasingly understanding and welcoming. Whenever possible, they allowed Marian Days pilgrims to use their parking lots. On some occasions, they even provided buses to transport pilgrims between the monastery grounds and Walmart for shopping. Local residents living around the monastery also gradually became more welcoming. Some permitted pilgrims to pitch tents on their private property. Others allowed pilgrims to use their showers and restrooms. During extremely hot weather, some families even extended water hoses toward the roadside so passing pilgrims could drink and refresh themselves.

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As a result, many local families formed close friendships with Vietnamese pilgrims. They exchanged letters and telephone calls throughout the year. Before each Marian Days, some families would even rope off sections of their property in advance to reserve camping areas for Vietnamese friends whom they had come to know over the years. Eventually, a number of homes and properties surrounding the monastery were purchased by Vietnamese families.

The relationship with the local government also became very positive. Mr. Harry O. Rogers II, Mayor of the City of Carthage, issued an official proclamation recognizing Marian Days as a celebration of the city. In part, he wrote: “Whereas, a strong bond of friendship exists between the City of Carthage and the Congregation... I call upon all citizens of the City of Carthage to welcome the pilgrims with warmth and hospitality.” The document was signed and officially sealed by Mayor Harry O. Rogers II. This became a beautiful sign of friendship between the Vietnamese community and the people of Carthage—a relationship which we believe was made possible through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the loving providence of God.

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Many Vietnamese people have also described Marian Days as a celebration of Vietnamese identity, almost like a “little Vietnam.” Through Marian Days, Vietnamese Catholics have been able to preserve their unique cultural heritage, maintain the traditional customs of their homeland, and deepen their bonds of friendship and solidarity with one another. Marian Days has also become an occasion for extended families to reunite. In addition, many associations connected with Vietnamese dioceses, religious communities, alumni groups, and other organizations hold reunions and gatherings during Marian Days.

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IV. CONTINUED GROWTH EACH YEAR

The original 30-acre pilgrimage grounds eventually became too small to accommodate the steadily increasing number of pilgrims. The Congregation therefore decided to purchase an additional 20 acres across Fairview Avenue. The newly acquired property became especially suitable for camping because of its many shade trees. Roads and entrances were paved, and basic electrical and water services were gradually provided.

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Over time, this area also became known as Calvary Hill, a peaceful and prayerful place where pilgrims could meditate upon the Passion of Christ and His infinite mercy toward humanity. First, a Garden of Gethsemane was established with a statue of Jesus in prayer. Later, marble statues representing the Fourteen Stations of the Cross were placed along the grounds so that families and groups could pray the Way of the Cross together. At each station, recorded meditations were made available in Vietnamese and English, together with appropriate hymns that pilgrims could easily sing. The Way of the Cross concludes near the statue of the Risen Christ beside a representation of the Holy Sepulcher. Inside the Holy Sepulcher are also several devotional objects and souvenirs from the Holy Land, the earthly homeland of Jesus Christ.

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The Marian Days program itself also expanded over the years, both in the number of days and in the variety of liturgical celebrations, processions, conferences, and workshops offered for different groups. In 1978, the first Marian Days lasted only one full Saturday and concluded on Sunday morning. From 1979 through 1980, Marian Days officially began with a Solemn Mass honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday evening. From 1981 through 1984, the opening Solemn Mass on Friday evening honored the Vietnamese Martyrs.

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From 1985 through 2011, Marian Days officially opened on Thursday evening with a Solemn Mass honoring the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Mass was followed by a Eucharistic procession from the main altar around Queen of Peace Plaza. The Blessed Sacrament was then solemnly adored at the outdoor altar before being carried in procession to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Eucharistic adoration continued throughout the night, with groups taking turns in prayer and reparation until morning. On Saturday afternoon, the traditional procession of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima took place, followed by the Solemn Mass honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Marian Days then concluded after Sunday morning Mass.

 

Beginning in 1988, an additional celebration was added on Wednesday evening, the day before the official opening. The Organizing Committee introduced a procession with the statue of St. Joseph, followed by Mass in his honor at the altar in Queen of Peace Plaza. The purpose was to entrust Marian Days to St. Joseph as its special patron and to ask his intercession before God and the Blessed Mother for the success of the gathering, favorable weather, and the safety and good order of all activities.

 

Beginning in the year 2000, another special celebration was added on Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. A Memorial Mass for the deceased was celebrated at Queen of Peace Plaza, with many priests and religious of the Province concelebrating together with a large number of pilgrims. Special prayers were offered for those who had died, as well as for living and deceased individuals whose names had been engraved in the Prayer Garden.

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V. THE VIETNAMESE MARTYRS HALL AND THE CONFERENCES

During the earliest years, conferences and workshops were held in the hall of the Three-Story Building. However, the hall could only accommodate approximately 400 to 500 people and was suitable only during the first few years or for smaller groups. In later years, the Organizing Committee rented a large tent capable of holding more than 2,000 people. It was equipped with air conditioning and a special sound system. Even this arrangement eventually became inadequate. The Congregation therefore realized that it was necessary to construct a large permanent conference hall.

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The Blessed Virgin Mary understood the desires of her beloved Vietnamese children. They wanted to learn more about Catholic teaching so that they could deepen their love for God, their devotion to Mary, and their fidelity and unity within the Church. They wanted to strengthen family life, promote harmony, remain faithful to one another, and help family members live together in happiness and love. They wanted to learn more about living the Catholic faith so that they could remain strong in a society increasingly influenced by ideas and lifestyles contrary to the moral teachings of the Church. Above all, they desired to grow in their vocation as children of God and to pursue holiness according to the command of Christ: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

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For this reason, we believe the Blessed Mother inspired her children to recognize their responsibility to contribute to the common good. People generously contributed according to their means—some giving more, others less, but each according to the blessings God had given them. Through this generosity, the Vietnamese Martyrs Hall and Pastoral Center was completed. The large facility, equipped with the necessary amenities and able to accommodate more than 3,000 people, was officially dedicated during Marian Days in the Great Jubilee Year of 2000, bringing great joy to the entire community.

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VI. ORDER AND SECURITY

In order for Marian Days to remain peaceful and for all activities to proceed smoothly, the Organizing Committee has always placed its trust first in the grace of God through the special intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. At the same time, practical regulations and detailed instructions were established. Pilgrims willingly cooperated by following directions concerning locations, schedules, programs, and activities. As a result, over a period of 42 years, there were no major disputes, fights, or serious confrontations. Naturally, because no human gathering is perfect, there were occasional minor misunderstandings or disagreements, but these were insignificant.

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To ensure public safety, the Organizing Committee also maintained close cooperation with the City Council and the Carthage Police Department, which provided substantial assistance. Because of the enormous crowds, local law enforcement sometimes coordinated with federal authorities and the FBI to help maintain security and prevent potentially dangerous individuals from entering the Marian Days grounds.

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Throughout 42 years of Marian Days, activities proceeded peacefully with one tragic exception. During Marian Days in 2003, a young Vietnamese man whose family had recently moved to Wichita, Kansas, was killed shortly after midnight near the far end of Queen of Peace Plaza, not far from the police station. It was later learned that his family had previously lived in California. While attending school there, he had experienced conflict and discrimination among groups of young people and had joined a group for protection. His parents eventually moved the family to Wichita in the hope of removing him from that environment. Sadly, he later became associated with the leadership of a group and was apparently followed by rivals who took advantage of the large Marian Days gathering to attack him.

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Over the course of 42 years, tens of thousands of pilgrims from many different places gathered each year within this relatively small pilgrimage area. Pilgrims often camped under difficult conditions—sometimes in intense heat and sometimes during heavy rain. Yet aside from the one tragic incident described above, there were no major fires or serious disasters. For such an enormous gathering extending over so many years, we regard this as an extraordinary grace and blessing.

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VII. COULD THIS BE A SPECIAL PLACE OF GRACE DEDICATED TO OUR LADY?

At the Provincial Headquarters of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer in this small city of Carthage, there has never been a supernatural apparition or extraordinary event comparable to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes, Fatima, La Vang, or other recognized Marian sites throughout the world. And yet, why have so many people eagerly traveled here year after year on pilgrimage to honor the Blessed Mother during Marian Days?

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Could this small piece of land have become, in a certain sense, a special place dedicated to Our Lady—a place where she pours out abundant graces upon her children who come to her with trust and seek refuge in her maternal care? Many sinners have experienced the grace of conversion and reconciliation with God and the Church. Many people, through Mary’s intercession, have rediscovered peace within their hearts. Many families experiencing division or broken relationships have been reconciled and have renewed their love and fidelity toward one another. Many young people have received guidance in their relationships and later formed faithful Catholic families. Many souls have been inspired to live more prayerful and holy lives. Most especially, many young people have discovered vocations to offer their lives in service to God and the Church as priests or religious, dedicating themselves to the apostolic mission of bringing souls to Christ. Because so many people have experienced spiritual blessings during Marian Days, many have exclaimed: “These truly are Days of Grace!”

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Stories reported to the Shrine Office during Marian Days, telephone calls received from throughout the country, and letters sent each month to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary requesting prayers, Mass intentions, or expressing gratitude all bear witness to the confidence that people place in Mary as their loving Mother. They also recount extraordinary blessings, both spiritual and physical, which people believe they received through her intercession.

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Some people, overwhelmed by personal suffering and unable to find a solution, placed their trust in the Blessed Mother and found consolation, strength, and assistance in overcoming their difficulties. Others suffering from serious illnesses—including heart disease, lung cancer, liver cancer, and other conditions—reported unexpected recoveries after turning to Mary in prayer. There have also been mothers who were told during pregnancy that their unborn children faced serious medical complications, disabilities, or even risks to the mother’s own life. In some cases, abortion was recommended. Because of their Catholic conscience, these mothers could not accept that recommendation and instead entrusted themselves and their children to the protection of the Blessed Mother. Some later reported that their children were born healthy despite earlier medical concerns.

Others have testified that they drank water from the fountains near the statue of Our Lady in Queen of Peace Plaza with faith and later experienced healing from various illnesses. Letters of thanksgiving containing these testimonies have appeared in the column “Forever Grateful to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” published in the bulletin of the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monthly Magazine. For the Congregation, these spiritual fruits represent the most meaningful results of celebrating Marian Days each year.

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VIII. A MARIAN PILGRIMAGE CENTER

During an early visit to the Congregation after the community had been sponsored and established at its headquarters in Carthage, Cardinal Bernard F. Law—who at that time was the local diocesan bishop—offered words of encouragement to the brothers. He said in substance: “Whenever God and the Blessed Mother choose people to live the consecrated life and grant them special blessings, they certainly desire that those people freely and generously respond. The gifts God gives always have a purpose. You are being blessed by God in a very special way through this opportunity. Surely God and the Blessed Mother desire to accomplish something very special through your community. I do not know what that will be, but somewhere in your future apostolic work in this new country, and in the growth of your community here in the United States, God has something special in store.”

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The Cardinal continued: “There is something very special that God and the Blessed Mother want you to accomplish, although I cannot foresee what it will be. Therefore, do not simply sit and wait to discover what God and the Blessed Mother want you to do. Pray, study, and continue developing your spiritual life so that you will be prepared for that future apostolate. It should bring many benefits not only to the Vietnamese people but also to the American people, because: ‘To whom much is given, much will be required.’” This address was given on July 1, 1975.

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Could these words have been almost prophetic, anticipating the future development of Marian Days? They correspond closely with a statement later made by Bishop O’Connell, former Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida. During a priestly ordination Mass attended by large numbers of Vietnamese and American Catholics, he described Marian Days in Carthage, Missouri, as “a great miracle of the Blessed Mother.” He observed that Carthage was located in an area with a large Protestant presence. At one time there were approximately 48 Protestant churches in the area, increasing to about 55 by the year 2000, while there was only one Catholic parish, St. Ann Parish. Yet Carthage had somehow become, in his words, a kind of “capital of the Blessed Mother” and a major Marian pilgrimage center for Vietnamese Catholics. He compared its importance for Vietnamese Catholic pilgrims to the role that Mecca holds as a pilgrimage destination for Muslims.

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CONCLUSION

As we have seen, Marian Days began with nothing more than a simple inspiration in the minds of the leaders of the overseas Province of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer: to organize one day of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We must honestly admit that none of us possessed the experience or ability to plan the creation of a large Marian pilgrimage center with national or international significance. In modern society, any large undertaking ordinarily requires the formation of committees, months or even years of research and discussion, careful planning, detailed programs, practical strategies, and above all a substantial financial budget.

Marian Days began with none of these things. There was no grand master plan, no elaborate program, and no large financial reserve. Measured solely by ordinary human wisdom, there was little reason to expect the gathering to grow into what it later became. And yet, from that small beginning, Marian Days gradually developed into a major annual gathering with national significance—and, as some have observed, even international significance.

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Each year it has brought together large numbers of Vietnamese people, Catholics as well as non-Catholics, traveling from nearly every part of the United States to this small Missouri city. Through this gathering, Carthage has become a Marian pilgrimage center for the Vietnamese Catholic community.

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How can such a development be explained? We believe we must acknowledge that the Blessed Virgin Mary herself inspired, guided, and supported her little community throughout this work. Certainly, we discussed matters together, listened to one another, planned together, and worked in unity. Nevertheless, we must humbly acknowledge that we sought above all to follow what we believed to be the guidance and inspiration of the Blessed Mother, entrusting everything completely to her maternal care.

For that reason, we firmly believe that whatever good has come from Marian Days has been accomplished through her intercession. And Mary’s purpose is always the same: to lead everyone to her Son, so that Jesus Christ may be known, honored, served, and loved.

Reverend Minh Van, CRM