Entree Kibbles: Da Nang Cathedral, also known as the Rooster / Pink Cathedral @ City of Bridges in Vietnam

Sunday, March 02, 2025

Da Nang Cathedral, also known as the Rooster / Pink Cathedral @ City of Bridges in Vietnam

There are many names for Da Nang Cathedral; Tourane Church, Sacred Heart Church of Jesus and Rooster Church. The most notable one is also the easiest to remember; the Pink Cathedral or Pink Church, as the color shows.

I don't know about you but I thought the towering Vietinbank Sông Hàn building at the back is an eyesore for the historical building that was inaugurated for the French catholics in 1924.

70-meter bell tower is the indisputable icon for the church but another notable feature would be the rooster weathervane on top, which gave rise to its nickname among the local, Rooster / Chicken Church.

As the Church was dedicated to the sacred heart of jesus, a "symbol of Jesus' love for humanity and God's love for all people", I am guessing this gentleman would be the great man himself.

While it was said to be built in the gothic architectural style, I guess the pastel pink color coating downplays its supposedly darker themes. Anyway, there's an older pink church in Vietnam and it's located at Ho Chi Minh City!

Not sure who this was; maybe another saint?

We didn't manage to check out the interior of the church; but fun fact, the building was completed by locals, specifically the three Vo brothers from the Kim Bong Village. There were supposed to be Vietnamese elements but I am unsure what and where they are.

I read online that aside from the bell tower, there were ten separate towers which got me scratching my head. Turned out they were the mini towers surrounding the bell tower; I would have classified them as hollowed spires for decorative purposes.

Have you heard of the Massabielle Grotto? It's a cave in France where a person claimed to have seen Virgin Mary 18 times! There's also a replica of it at the back of Da Nang Cathedral.

Pictures for your viewing pleasure.

I was more intrigued by the holy water; a key high highlight in the Massabielle Grotto where it was said that water from the spring has healing properties. Not sure if this has the ability to expel demons.

Incense praying which is usually associated with Taoism and Buddhism. Personally, this isn't good for the environment although not as damaging as the burning of paper offerings.

Thanh Anre Kim Thong - a Vietnamese saint canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988. He died in 1855 after being exile due to his faith, considered illegal then. I know that to be granted the saint status in the Catholic order, one must have a miracle attributed to him/her. Anyone knows the details?