“Our Lady of La Vang Foundation, commonly known as the OLLV Foundation, is an independent nonprofit organization established in 2022. It is closely connected with the development of faith- and culture-centered spaces at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, California. The Foundation’s mission focuses on creating sacred spaces, strengthening community connections, and preserving the spiritual heritage of Vietnamese Catholics for future generations.
One of the OLLV Foundation’s most significant accomplishments is the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral. The project began in 2016 and its first phase was completed in 2021. On July 17, 2021, the shrine was formally dedicated in the presence of nearly 9,000 people, becoming an important place of faith and cultural connection for the Vietnamese Catholic community in Orange County.
A defining feature of the shrine is the statue of Our Lady, carved from white Carrara marble from Italy and inspired by the image of Our Lady of La Vang associated with the 1798 story. Mary is depicted wearing a traditional Vietnamese áo dài and headdress while holding the Christ Child. Behind the statue are three columns evoking the three banyan trees in the La Vang story. The structure also includes approximately 400 steel panels, 80 glass skylight panels, and an area honoring 117 Vietnamese Catholic martyrs.
Beyond the shrine itself, the OLLV Foundation has developed additional projects to expand community spaces, including the Marian Gardens behind the shrine and the Martyrs Wall. The gardens are designed with four prayer areas corresponding to the four mysteries of the Rosary. The Foundation has also supported the St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts project at Christ Cathedral.
The OLLV Foundation’s work extends beyond architecture. It also participated in the production of the documentary Our Lady at the Center in collaboration with the Diocese of Orange. The film tells the story of Our Lady of La Vang in 1798 and the journey behind the creation of the shrine at Christ Cathedral. Produced over more than two years and filmed in several countries, the documentary features dozens of testimonies and personal stories. It premiered at Christ Cathedral in May 2025 and, on March 26, 2026, was released on Catholic platforms for individual viewers and community screenings.
Behind these projects is a desire to create places where the faith, culture, and collective memory of the Vietnamese community can continue to grow. For the OLLV Foundation, the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine is not simply a structure in California; it is also a symbol of the Vietnamese-American journey—from years of hardship to a new life in which faith, culture, and community continue to be nurtured.
From projects at Christ Cathedral to cultural initiatives, fundraising, and filmmaking, the OLLV Foundation is steadily building a lasting legacy. It is a story of how a community preserves its memories while creating spaces where present and future generations can continue to connect with their faith, Vietnamese culture, and one another.”