Amid the snarl of traffic and subdivisions, the future home of Our Lady of La Vang Mission in Chantilly is a vivid contrast. Located at the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Herndon Avenue in Chantilly, the property resembles a nature preserve with lush forests, populated by wild turkeys.
“It’s a beautiful piece of property,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who visited the land to bless the newly installed statue of Our Lady of La Vang and the adjoining rectory May 22. “As soon as you stand on it, you know you’re on sacred ground.”
The diocese purchased the 33 acres of land in 2021, and three years later, an additional five acres with a house were purchased to serve as the rectory.
“The diocese gave us this piece of land because they see us growing,” said Dominican Father Vincent Dinh Ngoc Thao, parochial vicar in charge of the mission. “This is a blessing for us to have the bishop come to our community and to bless the land that he gave to us.”
The mission that was first established in 2006 is named after a Marian apparition to a group of Catholics in La Vang, Vietnam, who were hiding in the jungle to avoid religious persecution in 1798.
More than 1,000 worshippers attend three weekend Masses at St. Veronica Church in Chantilly. Bishop Burbidge recognized the community as a mission in 2017. A capital campaign to fund the construction of a chapel and meeting spaces kicks off this summer.
“We have many young people, which is a blessing,” said parishioner Thinh Dinh. “We’re a spin-off of Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church in Arlington and a lot of people have moved out here, so establishing a mission here is just perfect. In the last few years, we’ve exploded.”
“Our Lady of La Vang is a community that’s vibrant in faith and so rich in devotion, strong in family life and a growing community,” said Bishop Burbidge. “It’s just an honor tonight to be on this property, and God willing we’ll see this church continue to evolve.”
Lan Nguyen, who has been part of the community since the beginning, appreciated the historical significance of the bishop’s visit. “This church will be here for many generations,” she said. “It’s so wonderful he came. His presence is a sign of unity. Now we want to unite to get this mission moving forward and to eventually build a new chapel for Our Lady of La Vang Church.”
Bishop Burbidge agreed. “With God’s grace, we’re going to enhance this ground with beautiful, sacred space with praise and worship for the Lord,” he said. “This community is a great gift to the diocese but also to the entire church.”
