Geographical location
After the 1954 Geneva Accords, the number of Catholics from the North settling in Nha Trang increased, so in 1956, part of the Nha Trang parish was separated to form the Bac Thanh parish. By 1960, the Phuoc Hai parish was established from the Bac Thanh parish. Later, the Phuoc Hoa parish was born in 1972, consisting of a part of the Cathedral parish and a part of the Phuoc Hai parish. Finally, in 1974, the Fatima parish (later renamed Hoa Thuan) was formed and separated from the Cathedral parish.
Currently, the Cathedral parish covers an area of about 10 km2, bordering the Nha Trang Sea to the East (from Le Loi street to Ly Tu Trong street) and the Bac Thanh parish (Nguyen Trai and Ly Tu Trong streets). It borders the Phuoc Hai parish to the Southeast (Nguyen Trai street). To the Northeast, it borders the Hoa Thuan parish (Le Loi, Phan Boi Chau, Thong Nhat, and Hai Thang Tu streets). It borders the Phuoc Hoa parish to the West and Southwest (the railway line, Le Hong Phong street, and Cao Ba Quat street). To the North, it borders the Cai River, and to the Northwest, it borders the Cho Moi parish.
Formation and development
Around 1885, Nha Trang consisted only of a few fishing villages scattered along the mouth of the Cai River and the coastline. The Catholic population at that time numbered only a few hundred, concentrated in the Cho Moi (Ngoc Hoi) parish.
In 1886, when the French established their colonial administration in Nha Trang, they created conditions for the construction of two important scientific research institutions: the Pasteur Institute (1895) and the Oceanographic Institute (1923). The fishermen gathered to live near the Pasteur Institute to receive healthcare.
In 1924, following a decree by the Governor-General of Indochina, King Khai Dinh issued an edict establishing the town of Nha Trang. To meet the religious needs of the parishioners and a number of French officials living in the area, a small chapel was temporarily built on the coast of Nha Trang (now the Nha Trang Bishop's House, 22 Tran Phu), under the jurisdiction of the Cho Moi parish.
With the compassionate heart of a shepherd, the French priest at the time, Louis Vallet (1869–1945), who was overseeing the Cho Moi parishioners, immediately thought of establishing a parish in Nha Trang, for which the first step was to build a church.
On September 3, 1928, construction of the church officially began, and it was inaugurated on March 14, 1933, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Joan of Arc; this was also the day the Nha Trang community was officially established. On July 5, 1957, the Diocese of Nha Trang was born, separating from the Diocese of Qui Nhon, with Marcel Piquet Lợi as the first Bishop. On November 24, 1960, the Diocese of Nha Trang was elevated to the status of a Cathedral Diocese. Since that day, the Nha Trang Church has been officially called the Nha Trang Cathedral, and the Nha Trang community became the Nha Trang Cathedral Parish.
After the parish was established, the number of parishioners increased, especially strongly in the mid-20th century (1958–1964) with 2,530 baptisms. Currently, there are over 3,000 parishioners in the Nha Trang Cathedral Parish, divided into 9 sub-parishes, accounting for 6% of the population scattered across 8 wards (more than 50,000 people).
Parish activities
Activities
Currently, the Cathedral has 2 Masses on weekdays. On Sundays, there are 5 Masses and a Eucharistic Adoration hour at 3:00 PM.
As the Cathedral is the mother church, the Bishop often comes to celebrate Masses on major feast days such as Christmas, Easter, Tet, the Diocesan Feast Day, the Parish Feast Day, the Chrism Mass, and others.
At the same time, the Cathedral is a pilgrimage site and holds other solemn ceremonies for the Diocese. In addition, the parish organizes visits and provides rice to poor families and the lonely elderly during major holidays such as Christmas, Lunar New Year (Tet), and Easter.
The Ave Maria plaza at the foot of the church, next to the Nga Sau roundabout (newly built and inaugurated on September 14, 2011), has long been chosen as the venue for grand celebrations: the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese, the Golden Jubilee of Bishop Paul's priesthood, welcoming the Apostolic Delegate... And from December 24, 2011, onwards, it has become the ideal place for the annual organization of the vigil and Christmas Eve Mass for the Cathedral parish.
In addition, the Nha Trang Cathedral is also a place that many domestic and foreign tourists often visit due to the unique architectural features of this sanctuary.
Catechism classes
General catechism classes follow the common program of the Diocese of Nha Trang and are held on Sunday mornings after the second Mass. Every week, catechists are trained further in pedagogical skills and collective activities to make teaching more effective. In addition, there are human development and spiritual formation classes for pre-seminarians and altar servers. Courses for marriage and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) catechism are organized throughout the year, with no fixed duration for each course.
Facilities within the parish
Ave Maria Plaza (first stone laid May 21, 2009 – inaugurated September 14, 2011)
Looking to the future
The Cathedral parish currently has more than 3,000 parishioners divided into 9 sub-parishes, spread over about 10 square kilometers right in the center of the city. The parishioners live in harmony with non-Catholics and other religions, which is challenging in terms of connection and internal management, but also offers many advantages for apostolic and missionary work... to be salt and leaven in life... and then surely the tiny mustard seed will grow into a large tree as the Word of God has said (Mt 13:31-35).
Cathedral Parish
Address: 31A Thai Nguyen, Nha Trang
Phone number: 058. 3823335. 3818783. 3828979
Established: May 14, 1933
Patronal Feast: Feast of Christ the King
Number of parishioners: over 3000
Mass times: Weekdays: 4:45 AM, 5:00 PM (Saturday evening fulfills Sunday obligation)
Sundays: 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM
