by Andrew Doan Thanh Phong
Can Tho – “More than eighty years ago, in this remote area of Tac Say, there was a priest who quietly served with loving compassion for all people. That was Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep, who later sacrificed his own life for his flock,” said auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Can Tho, Peter Le Tan Loi, at the beginning of the Mass commemorating the 80th anniversary of the martyrdom of the future Vietnamese blessed.
On March 11 and 12, 2026, a large number of priests, religious, and tens of thousands of participants, both non-Catholics and Catholics from many places, gathered to take part in a pilgrimage, at the Tac Say Pilgrimage Center where his tomb is located, , to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the death of Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep, creating an atmosphere of profound communion and overflowing faith.
Numerous Masses and prayer services were celebrated consecutively, helping the community to remember and give thanks to God for the witness of faith of the shepherd who is most beloved by many Vietnamese people.
Eighty years after his death, the devotion of believers and even many non-Catholics towards him has spread ever wider. Many people have come to visit his grave, and asked for blessings, and then they believe that they have received blessings and graces from the martyr Diep, who helped them overcome difficult times in their lives.
Among non-Catholics, many asked to be baptized after receiving blessings through his intercession.
Bishop Peter Le Tan Loi – Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese Can Tho – also addressed the non-Catholic community: “I know you all love Father Truong Buu Diep very much, and many of you have received blessings, both spiritual and material from him through his intercession. That is very precious, and I want to invite you to go a step further: Father Truong Buu Diep does not only intercede for you for material or physical blessings, but perhaps what Father Diep most desires to intercede with God is to bestow upon you the grace of faith in Jesus Christ, so that you may then be guided towards eternal life, which Catholics believe in.”
The Diocese of Can Tho completed the collection of all the testimonies requested during the diocesan phase of the canonization process in 2017 and compiled a dossier on the sacrifice and miracles attributed to the intercession of Father Francis Truong Buu Diep and submitted it to the Holy See.
On November 25, 2024, Pope Francis recognized his martyrdom for the love of his flock, declaring that Father Truong Buu Diep was killed out of hatred for the faith on March 12, 1946.
The Mass for the beatification of Father Truong Buu Diep will be celebrated on July 2, 2026 in the Diocese of Can Tho.
“We believe that not only the Diocese of Can Tho, but also many faithful in Vietnam and around the world who love Father Francis Truong Buu Diep, are filled with joy and gratitude to God upon receiving this good news” said Father Peter Vu Van Hai, Vicar General of the Diocese of Can Tho. The entire Diocese of Can Tho, along with all members of the People of God throughout Vietnam, are turning their hearts towards this momentous occasion.
This will be the first time in the history of the Vietnam Church that a canonization ceremony for a Vietnamese martyr is taking place in his homeland.
Following the instructions of the Bishop of the Diocese of Can Tho, all Catholics from the entire diocese are called to cooperate and work together to organize the solemn Mass of beatification and to pray that it will bring spiritual blessings to all the People of God.
Organizational measures have already been made to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims expected during the beatification. Many churches along the national highways and close to Tac Say parish have been designated as accommodation points for the pilgrims. The main ceremonial area can accommodate approximately 10,000 participants, with surrounding areas holding another 50,000; the area around Father Diep’s tomb can accommodate several thousand people.
The diocese has also worked with the authorities of Ca Mau province and Can Tho city to ensure the safety and smooth running of the event for all pilgrims and guests.
From now on, the diocese of Can Tho invites all pilgrims planning to travel to Tac Say to participate in prayer and prepare their hearts for this extraordinary event.
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