Recently, Holy Mother Church recalled the Patroness of The Immaculate Conception on December 8. On December 12 we recognize Mary’s appearance to Aztec Native American, Cuauhtlatohuac, who was later christened Juan Diego. Such a day commemorate Mary’s apparition to Juan on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. La Virgen del Tepeyac is Queen of Mexico and Patroness of the Americas having appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531. The Archbishop of Mexico City, Juan de Zumárraga, doubted Juan’s story. Mary asked Juan to gather a multitude of flowers in the dead of winter which were Castilian roses not native to Mexico in Juan’s tilma or cloak with her image imprinted. Such a miracle in which millions of people make a pilgrimage to the Basilica in Mexico City and other areas with processions of prayer and song show the importance of this great Marian apparition. Mary’s appearance to the outcast, impoverished and lowly servants throughout history represent the Father’s love for all of His children. Nothing can separate us from His love per the reminder of the apparition of Mary to St. Juan Diego (Rom. 8:38-39).
My son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-Virgin Mary; mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth and I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask for my help in their work and in their sorrows will know their mother’s near in this place. Here I will see their fears and I will console men and they will be at peace.
Words of Mary to Juan Diego: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth.”
In a world that is in desperate need of unity and love, what better way than uniting behind Our Mother Mary who leads us to her Son, Jesus the Christ and risen Lord. On December 12, my wife and I closed on the sale of our current home which is not merely a coincidental date, but one in which God’s providence through the workings of the Queen of Saints like Our Lady of Guadalupe are a continuous reminder of His presence. The book of Revelation reminds us that God will always triumph against those forces that wish to separate us from His presence with Mary’s powerful fiat of saying yes to bringing forth the light for all nations, King Jesus.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1).
In the Dallas Diocese of Texas, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe has the status of a National shrine by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Such monumental milestones demonstrate the faith filled fervor and zeal for area Catholics. Que viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!
In the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful prayer in the upper church’s chapel:
“Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deepfelt confidence to beg this favor…. O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Sources:
The Words of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
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