Article: Hmong Mass in Gothic church. (St. Mary Church, St. Paul, MN)(Liturgy) (Cover Story)

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A small group of young people gathered in the front pews of St. Mary Church practice a familiar tune -- familiar but elusive.

Oh, yes, it's "Luag thiaj paub: peb yog cov ntseeg, huav kev hlub, huav kev hlub."

Hmong is not your first language? Then try the English words: "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love." Soon the practice subsides as dozens of people file into the oak pews, as they do every Sunday for 3:45 p.m. Mass. Each Sunday 100 to 200 come from among many hundreds on the church rolls.

They are at home here in this simple Gothic church in Lowertown, on the edge of downtown St. Paul. The people ...

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