How Vietnamese Catholics Celebrate Lunar New Year (Tet)

Lunar New Year, known as “Traditional New Year” or simply “Tet”, is the most significant holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar and is a time of renewal, unity, and hope. For Vietnamese Catholics, Tet is not only a cultural celebration but also a deeply spiritual occasion to honor God, family, and community.

Tet Preparations: A Blend of Tradition and Faith

As Tet approaches, Vietnamese Catholic families engage in both cultural and spiritual preparations:

– Traditional Decorations: Homes are adorned with peach blossoms, kumquat trees, or apricot flowers, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and renewal.

– Spiritual Readiness: Catholics prioritize going to Confession cleaning the family altar, and praying to prepare their hearts and homes for the new year.

– Charitable Works: Many parishes organize activities to help the less fortunate, such as preparing “bánh chưng”(stuffed sticky rice cakes) or donating gifts to those in need.

Key Traditions During Tet for Catholics

– Family Gatherings and Prayers

Tet is a time for family reunions, and Catholics begin their celebrations with prayers to express gratitude and seek blessings for the year ahead. These moments often include attending “New Year’s Mass” at church or holding prayer sessions at home.

– Church Activities and Community Spirit

Churches are beautifully decorated for Tet with traditional flowers and vibrant displays. Special Masses are held to pray for the nation and community. Parishes often organize charity events, such as food drives and gift distributions for the poor and disabled, embodying Christ’s love in action.

– Cultural Festivities with Faith

Catholics enjoy traditional Tet foods like “bánh chưng” and “banh tet”, wear ao dai, and visit loved ones, all while maintaining practices aligned with their faith. By celebrating in this way, they honor both their cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs.

Main masses of Catholics during Tet

The traditional Tet celebration for Catholics typically includes four main ceremonies:

– New Year’s Eve Mass, held on the evening of Lunar New Year’s Eve (30th of the last month of the lunar calendar).

– New Year Mass, celebrated on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

– Mass of Ancestral Remembrance, observed on the second day of Tet.

– Mass for the Sanctification of Work, conducted on the third day of Tet.

Differences in Celebrating Tet Among Catholics:

While Vietnamese Catholics embrace many Tet traditions, they do not participate in practices that conflict with their faith, such as: Catholics do not celebrate the Kitchen Gods’ Day, do not perform the year-end offering rituals, do not believe in the practice of “first footing,” nor do they believe in avoiding sweeping the house to preserve wealth. They also refrain from customs with religious elements that contradict their faith.

The Spiritual Meaning of Tet for Catholics

For Vietnamese Catholics, Tet is a sacred time to strengthen their connection with God, renew family bonds, and reflect on gratitude and hope for the future. The celebration harmoniously blends cultural traditions with Christian values, emphasizing the virtues of love, charity, and humility.