Homecoming in Vietnam

Hi all,

The whole event went smoothly. Monday late afternoon about 5PM we arrived to Co Hai's house. Cau Nam's ash was placed on a small altar, with candles, incense along with his framed picture on a stance. We held a simple family "phat tang" service. Chi My (Co Ba's daughter) was instrumental in preparing the books and leading the service. Co Hai, Co Bon, Co Ba' children (Chi Tinh, Chi My, Chi Minh), and some grand nephews and grand nieces (Hao, Thao, Duy, Tran, etc.) were there. Be & his wife, Hao & his wife, Chi Tinh, Hao (Co Hai's grand son) weared the large mourning band, and the rest weared the smaller black clip. All took turn to pay tribute to Cau Nam with incense and holy water.

That evening around 7:30 the Legio Maria club came to pray and said rosary. Once again, we gathered to pray with them.

The burrial Mass started at 4:30AM the next morning. Be & Hao, Hao (Co Hai grandson) carried the ash, picture and cross. Fr. Nam (the pastor) and I had the Mass. There was a big crowd of about 150 relatives, parishioners, with 50 children in uniforms attending the service, with a choir. After the Mass, we all proceeded to the newly built masoleum outside the church. We had some more prayers and songs and at the end, Anh Be placed the box of Cau Nam's ash into the hole. He was broken down with emotions. We paused for a while.. Amazingly, the box just fitted the hole perfectly!. The "tombstone" which has been prepared by Duy (Co Ba's grand son) before TET, with Cau Nam's picture, name, dates, etc.. was placed over the opening. More prayers and the final blessings.

All in all, Cau Nam/Dad is now resting near to his parents' and his grand parents' remains! Duong Ba's tombstone is the same square with Cau Nam. Cau Nam/Dad finally came home again. This time is for good.

When Anh Be comes back to SG, I will try to upload the pics for you to see.

Anh Tan
"Quicumque audet docere, numquam desistat discere!"