THROUGHOUT HISTORY, saints have walked the Earth as pilgrims, noted Cindy Hoang, a parishioner at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. All Catholics should strive to follow in their footsteps, she believes.
This past Christmas during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, Cindy spent three weeks on a missionary trip to Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan, at the same time running the race to get as many indulgences as possible at the sacred sites.
As Cindy sees it, embarking on a pilgrimage is a way for Catholics to return their souls to God.
HIGHLIGHT OF CINDY HOANG’S PILGRIMAGE WAS VISITING AN ORPHANAGE IN VIETNAM THAT HOUSES 60 CHILDREN. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CINDY HOANG
“Pilgrimages are transformative experiences that aren’t limited to religious sisters or priests,” said Cindy, herself a former religious sister who now works as a project manager for a software company.
“We are all called to be saints,” Cindy added. “As a layperson, I feel an even greater desire to pursue this path because of God’s immense love for us. He wants all of us to return our souls to Him as saints.”
VISIT TO OUR LADY OF LA VANG
A highlight of Cindy’s missionary trip was visiting Our Lady of La Vang in Quang Tri province, Vietnam. The major Marian apparition site commemorates the Virgin Mary’s appearance to persecuted Catholics in 1798.
The visit was especially meaningful for Cindy because it came during the Jubilee Year 2025, whose theme was “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Cindy had planned to visit Our Lady of La Vang in October 2019, but she had to fly back to Ho Chi Minh City to attend the funeral Mass for an aunt who died after a lengthy illness.
“God had a different plan for me,” said Cindy, who was 5 when her family escaped Vietnam by boat in 1980.
CHRIST CATHEDRAL PARISHIONER CINDY HOANG RAISED FUNDS TO HELP COVER SOME SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND TUITION NEEDS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN A ORPHANAGE IN VIETNAM.
They initially settled in Westminster before moving to Orange and Garden Grove, where Cindy spent her formative years. During her pilgrimage to Vietnam, Cindy also visited Our Lady of Nui Cui Pilgrimage Center. Located in Dong Nai province, the statue of Our Lady of Nui Cui, standing 33 meters tall, symbolizes the lifespan of Jesus Christ.
“It was a place of profound spiritual significance and breathtaking beauty,” recalled Cindy, who visited the site with a cousin, Sr. Duong of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, Thu Thiem. “It was our first time meeting each other,” Cindy shared. “While I prayed the Rosary, I had the privilege of touching the beautiful, giant feet of Our Lady of Nui Cui. The moment was made even more special by the breathtaking view of the sea and mountains surrounding me. It was a truly divine and serene experience that I will cherish forever.”
Another highlight was visiting an orphanage in Binh Duong province,Vietnam, that houses 60 children. Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, she was able to cover some of the children’s educational needs, including school supplies and tuition. Additionally, the funds are being used to provide clothing, food and shelter, ensuring that the children have a safe and nurturing environment to grow up in.
FEEDING THE HUNGRY
In Pasay City, an encounter with a homeless man while Cindy was looking for a place to eat led to feeding him and sharing a meal with some 50 homeless children.
“I decided to stay in a hostel near the homeless community rather than at a nice hotel,” Cindy said.
In Japan, she attended Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tokyo and St. Ignatius Church, which has a vibrant Vietnamese community.
One of Cindy’s spiritual directors throughout the year has been Sr. Joanna Carroll, of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange. Sadly, Sr. Joanna died in October 2025 – a couple of months before Cindy’s missionary trip.
“Unfortunately,” Cindy said, “I didn’t get the chance to share with her the details of my pilgrimage and missionary journey. But I believe Sr. Joanna and the other departed sisters are smiling down on me from Heaven, knowing how much this journey meant to me.”
FALL ITINERARY
This September, Cindy is planning a pilgrimage to Poland. She also hopes to visit Bosnia and Prague to continue a “Pilgrims of Hope” trip. Her visit to Poland is timed to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 8. The trip also will coincide with Pope Leo XIV’s birthday on Sept. 14 and Cindy’s own birthday on Sept. 20. Her itinerary includes visiting the Shrine of Divine Mercy, the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa and the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague.
Following that, Cindy will head to a seven-day retreat at Our Lady of Medjugorje in Bosnia. She then hopes to be in Mexico City on Dec. 12 to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“Visiting sacred sites can awaken our minds to the presence of the divine, opening us up to the grace of God and the miracles that can occur during such transformative journeys,” Cindy said. “Pilgrimages offer us the opportunity to step away from our daily routines and immerse ourselves in deep spiritual renewal,” she added. “They allow us to reconnect with God and strengthen our faith by praying at sacred sites.
“These purposeful journeys enhance our spiritual works of mercy and provide a unique chance for personal and spiritual growth.”