The Nguyen Dynasty decreed Catholicism as a foreign religious sect leading a working class revolt against the dynasty. A few months later, direct attacks for extermination were aimed at all thirty-seven parishes in Dinh Cat. More than 100.000 Vietnamese Catholics died as martyrs. Many Christians took refuge in the jungle near Quang Tri, a village in central Vietnam, where they prepared themselves for martyrdom. Many people died from the bitter cold weather, lurking wild beasts, jungle sickness and starvation. At night, they often gathered in small groups to pray the rosary. Unexpectedly, one night they were visited by an apparition of Our Blessed Mother in a long cape, holding a child in her arms, with two angels at her sides. She comforted them and told them to boil the leaves from the surrounding trees to use as medicine. She also told them that from that day on, all those who came to this place to pray, would get their prayers heard and answered. All those who were present witnessed this miracle.
1798, Hai Lang, Quang Tri, Vietnam
Shrine elevated to Minor Basilica August 22, 1961