Fr. Vicente Gabriel SJ Bautista
February 26, 2024
Vietnam
A praycation is a vacation with the Lord where where your soul finds rest in God. It is a delightful mix of prayers and reflection, visits to beautiful sites, and partaking of local experiences, while enjoying the company of fellow travelers. Come along this spiritual journey and feel refreshed and renewed after an 8-day Praycation to Northern Vietnam with Fr. Viel Bautista on February 26 – March 4, 2024.
Fr. Vicente Gabriel S.J. Bautista is a liturgist and is currently assigned as Vice Rector at The Manila Cathedral with the Archdiocese of Manila. He is also appointed as formator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary.
Fr. Viel began his vocation journey at age 13, when he studied high school at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary in Makati City and at the John Paul II Minor Seminary in Antipolo City. He pursued his college studies at the San Carlos Seminary.
Fr. Viel’s homilies are posted on the various social media sites of The Manila Cathedral. He is also one of the team of priests who regularly lead the “Daily Morning Prayer” at Veritasph.net and the Youtube channel, @catholic_life, includes short clips from his homilies.
Fr. Viel is a man of prayer, and his love for God is infectious. His homilies are honest, uplifting, and brings one closer to God.
Begin your praycation in Hoa Lu Ancient Captial, the capital of an ancient Vietnamese Kingdom called Dai Co Vet in the 10th century. Hoa Lu is known as the first capital of Vietnam and has a wide range of historical landmarks. Besides its historical significance, Hoa Lu is also known for its breathtaking beauty. Head for Ninh Binh, a mesmerizing area known locally as “Ha Long Bay on Land,” thanks to its magical riverine landscape, with sheer limestone mountains rising up from the paddies. Not to be missed is a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trang An Landscape Complex, known for its stunning karst formations that include limestone mountains, caves, and rivers.
Next stop is a visit to the Phuc Nhac Parish, known as the Martyr’s Shrine Center, where the relic of St. Agnes Le Thi Thanh (1781–1841), one of the first female Vietnamese martyrs, is displayed. The Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, built in stone and wood in 1891, is a stunning architectural masterpiece. It boasts a sublime combination of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. The cathedral is one of the oldest in Vietnam, with an age of more than 100 years.
Enjoy a full-day visit to the different beautiful and ancient Catholic churches of Nam Dinh. Marvel at the Phu Nhai Church, also known as the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, considered the biggest church of Gothic architecture in Vietnam. Not to be missed is a visit to the Bui Chu Cathedral, with the full name of Cathedral of Mary, Queen of the Rosary, built in 1885 by French colonists. It is considered the cradle of Catholicism in Vietnam. The diocese is reportedly Vietnam’s first place where Catholicism was introduced by foreign missionaries in 1533. Return to Ninh Binh for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Leave Ninh Binh for your two-night stay in Hanoi, literally a “city between the rivers.” Vietnam’s capital city is layered with French and Chinese influence and offers well-preserved French colonial architecture, religious sites, and several historical landmarks of Vietnamese imperial periods. Visit the Pilgrimage Center of Bang So in Thuong Tin district of Hanoi City, built in honor of Martyr Fr. Peter Le Tuy, who bravely bore witness to God by willingly sacrificing himself and shedding his blood to show his loyalty to the faith and the Church. Explore Phung Khoang Church (Our Lady of the Rosary Church), built in 1910 and situated in the western part of Hanoi. Stop by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This commanding construction was built from 1973 to 1975 to house the embalmed body of Vietnam’s greatest political leader, Ho Chi Minh. Visit Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, also known as Hanoi Cathedral, whose architect was inspired by the Neo-Gothic style of the Notre Dame de Paris
Wind down your praycation with a relaxing overnight Halong Bay Cruise. Bask in the serenity of limestone sculptures hewn by nature. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has roughly 2,000 islands and islets with beautiful grottos, hidden ponds, mangrove forests, and unusual stone formation.
Join a Praycation to North Vietnam with Fr. Viel Bautista on February 26 – March 4, 2024. May you experience the presence of God throughout your journey, loving you and giving you rest.
with a Pilgrimage Chaplain
READ MORE +1) A non-refundable US$ 500.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure) and Pilgrim’s Profile plus the visa fee.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than thirty (30) days before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 45 days before departure date – US$ 500.00
> 30 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 20 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
> Admin fee US$200.00 for any visa denial.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: airport taxes, visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation (23 kgs), drinks, and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
THE PILGRIMS’ CENTER – EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure.” All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
*** SCHEDULE AND RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***