On July 2nd, the beatification ceremony for father Phanxico Truong Buu Diep will take place at Tac Say Pilgrimage Center in Phong Thanh commune. This event marks a significant milestone for the Vietnamese Catholic Church and the local Catholic community, as it is where the beloved priest spent most of his pastoral life and is his resting place.

The entire Tac Say Pilgrimage Center, where the beatification ceremony will be held. Photo: Chuc Ly

According to documents from Tac Say Pilgrimage Center, the name Tac Say originates from a small shortcut passing through the church area, located within a reed-filled region. Due to Southern Vietnamese pronunciation, the place name gradually became known as "Tac Say".

A century ago, this area was merely a remote expanse of mangrove forests, nipa palms, and reeds, with a sparse population and challenging transportation. The first simple chapel was constructed from forest timber and thatched leaves on the riverbank in the old Gia Rai area.

The first entry in the parish's baptismal register, dated 10/6/1925, is considered the founding moment of the Catholic community there. By August 1926, the Tac Say parish community was officially established with father Paolo Tran Minh Kinh as its first parish priest.

In March 1930, father Truong Buu Diep was appointed parish priest at the age of 33, also overseeing eight smaller parish communities in the region. During his ministry, he baptized nearly 2,000 people, contributing to the expansion of the Catholic community in the area.

Parishioners remember him as a priest who lived simply, was approachable, and consistently supported the people during a period of great upheaval.

During the 1945-1946 period, widespread conflict caused many communities to scatter. Despite advice to leave for safety, father Diep chose to remain with his parishioners, embodying the spirit of "Living and dying for the flock". On 12/3/1946, he was arrested along with some parishioners and subsequently martyred. His body was initially interred in Khuc Treo.

After the events of 1946, the Tac Say parish community was almost completely dispersed. The church was destroyed, parishioners scattered, and pastoral duties were maintained by rotating priests from other areas.

From the early 1950s, the parish community gradually recovered. A new chapel was built, and the church and other religious facilities were steadily constructed and expanded in several phases.

The first coffin of father Truong Buu Diep is preserved at Tac Say Pilgrimage Center. Photo: Chuc Ly

A major turning point occurred in 1969 when father Truong Buu Diep's remains were moved from Khuc Treo and reinterred within the Tac Say church grounds. From then on, an increasing number of parishioners and people from various localities sought out the site for prayer.

In subsequent years, with National Highway 1 passing through the area, improving accessibility, the number of pilgrims grew rapidly. Structures such as the bell tower, the Our Lady of Fatima shrine, and the church grounds continued to be built and expanded to meet the needs of the faithful.

Father Giuse Vo Van Hoai, chief priest of Tac Say parish, stated that on 21/1/1997, Tac Say was elevated to the Saint Phanxico Pilgrimage Center. Since then, it has become one of Vietnam's largest Catholic pilgrimage sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

In 2010, father Truong Buu Diep's tomb was relocated to a new, spacious position within the pilgrimage center grounds. Since then, the site has continued to undergo renovation and expansion.

Currently, the pilgrimage center spans an area of about 20,000 square meters with four main buildings. The Tac Say parish community comprises more than 1,500 parishioners active in nine zones.

Over time, the number of pilgrims has steadily increased, not only within the Catholic community but also among people of other faiths. They visit to pray, attend mass, or find peace.

The development of Tac Say has also spurred service activities such as accommodation, dining, and transportation, contributing to the improved livelihoods of local residents.

The tomb area of father Phanxico Truong Buu Diep. Photo: Chuc Ly

Father Phero Vu Van Hai, Vicar General of Can Tho Diocese, remarked that the beatification of father Truong Buu Diep and the ceremony held at Tac Say are a special milestone for the Vietnamese Catholic Church.

According to him, this event not only acknowledges father Truong Buu Diep's sacrifice but also elevates Tac Say from a familiar pilgrimage site to a pilgrimage center of national and international significance.

"After father Diep is beatified, the number of pilgrims will continue to rise, and Tac Say will assume a greater role in the faith life of the Catholic community," father Phero Vu Van Hai said.

Chuc Ly