Our Lady of La Vang Catholic Church San Jose

This year, the Vietnamese Catholic Community of the Diocese of San Jose Tết Festival theme is “Tết Festival of the Vietnamese Diaspora with Our Mother” or “Xuân Tha Hương Bên Mẹ”, to honor the efforts of the Vietnamese community in building a home abroad. The Vietnamese Catholic Community is thrilled to welcome back over 10,000 guests to celebrate the Year of the Snake and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Black April, otherwise known as the Fall of Saigon. The Vietnamese Catholic Community of San Jose Tết Festival is proud to serve as a bridge that brings people closer through vibrant activities that highlight our Vietnamese heritage, such as 3 Prayer Masses (For Spring, For Vietnamese Exile, and For the Homeland of Vietnam), decorations and small landscapes of Vietnamese cultural village, 5 Continuous Spring Celebration Music Program with Famous Artists, festive games and rides, a variety of local food vendors, and a dazzling firecracker show celebrating the new year.

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In addition, we celebrate Tết within the context of the Jubilee Year 2025. The theme of the Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.” During Tết, Vietnamese people traditionally exchange wishes for the New Year, expressing beautiful aspirations. These wishes are hopes for a prosperous year ahead. As Vietnamese Catholics enter the Year of the Snake, we carry the hearts of hopeful pilgrims. Of course, the journey in the Year of the Snake may include moments of fatigue, but we will continue forward in hope and love. As Pope Francis says: “I prefer the weariness of those moving forward to the lethargy of those standing still.”