Blessings on the Lunar New Year

Every year, as the Lunar New Year approaches, I am filled with joy and gratitude for God's blessings in my life, family, and friends.

"Tết," or Lunar New Year, means the changing of seasons (Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter). Tết is also an abbreviation for Tết Nguyên Đán, which means the first morning of the Lunar New Year. In Vietnamese faith and tradition, Tết celebration typically lasts three days. On the first day, we pray for peace. On the second day, we pray for our ancestors. And on the third day, we pray for good jobs.

I am delighted to share with you about the celebration on the second day of the Lunar New Year. On this day, we, the Vietnamese faith community, offer prayers to our ancestors and show respect, honor, and care to our parents and grandparents as taught by God’s fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother.”
 

Last Sunday, on February 11th, 2024, my family, relatives, and I gathered at my parents' parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, to celebrate my grandmother's 94th birthday, as well as my parents' 70th birthdays. The Church's yearly tradition is to honor those celebrating their 70th, 75th, 80th, 85th, and 90th+ birthdays. I was grateful to celebrate this special occasion with my loved ones.

Out of the forty-seven celebrants this year, my grandmother received two honors: a blessed person with the most longevity and the highest number of great-grandchildren.

I am incredibly fortunate and blessed that my grandmother and both of my parents are still alive. I treasure every moment I spend with them. May the Incarnate Word bless us with joy, good health, and longevity! Praised be the Incarnate Word—Forever.