Veneration of ancestors

Sydney
10 March 2002

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Veneration of ancestors

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Veneration of ancestors

Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, is based on a lunar calendar, so it falls on a different date each year. This year it fell in mid-February. Whenever it falls Vietnamese Catholics celebrate it with a bang, with firecrackers, drums and gongs and a special Mass.

Ancient tradition is blended with Catholic faith in the celebration. One of the most important traditions is the veneration of ancestors, who are commemorated as part of celebrations.

Vietnamese Catholics also hold a Thanksgiving Mass at which they pray for their ancestors, including parents and grandparents, and ask their ancestors to pray for them.

Priestly members of Sydney’s Vietnamese Catholic community are pictured (left) at this year’s Thanksgiving Mass held in the open air in Bankstown.

These outdoor Masses have been held for many years. As a ‘thank you’ to the local council and police this year the community presented both with plaques, along with a cheque for $16,800 to the council to help bushfire victims.