In my mail, I received a special delivery from Fr. Erick, pastor Divine Mercy Catholic parish in Las Vegas. I was humbled to receive a gift of a chasable with the image of the Our Lady of Gaudalupe. In April during Holy Week, Fr Erick had invited me to return to his parish to celebrate this beautiful feast with his parishioners. December 12th is the Feast of Gaudalupe and my wonderful friend and brother priest Fr Don plans to broadcast the services via You Tube from Las Vegas for your prayerful reflection. Services will include children crowning of Our Lady, special Masses and mariachi band playing music at all the services. Join me from Las Vegas next week.
Fr Don will record services and post on following ZOOM link below”
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/4530357915?pwd=Y0s5WUlyYTJnbUQ4ZW1SR1BxalpxQT09
Who is Our Lady of Guadalupe? Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic title of the Virgin Mary, harkening back to the Marian apparition to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill (now outside of México City).
What does “Our Lady of Guadalupe” mean? In Spanish, she is known as Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or La Virgen de Guadalupe. “Our Lady” is a title given to Mary, signifying respect and recognition of her as our Mother. “Guadalupe” refers to the place in México in which Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego.
What is Our Lady of Guadalupe the patron saint of? Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of México, as well as the “Patroness of the Americas.”
When did Our Lady of Guadalupe appear to St. Juan Diego? Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill (now México City).
What
did Our Lady of Guadalupe say to St. Juan Diego? Mary famously told St.
Juan Diego in his native language of Nahuatl (the language of the Aztec
empire),
“Listen, put it into your heart, most little of my sons: let nothing
frighten or grieve you, let not your heart be disturbed, do not fear any
sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my
protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within the folds of my
mantle, held safely in my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else
worry you or disturb you.”
What does Our Lady of Guadalupe represent? Our Lady of Guadalupe represents hope, a renewal of faith, God’s acceptance of all people, and His preferential option for the poor.
A little history…When the bishop asked St. Juan Diego for a “sign” of
Mary’s appearance, Mary sent St. Juan Diego to the bishop with roses in his
tilma (cloak). Then, when St. Juan Diego opened his tilma to present them
to the bishop, his tilma had
been miraculously imprinted with the image of Our
Lady of Guadalupe.
Where is St. Juan Diego’s tilma today? St. Juan Diego’s original tilma hangs in la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in México City. Around 20 million pilgrims journey to see and pray alongside the tilma annually, making the Basilica the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that our devotion to Our Lady becomes a source of strength during difficult times. I look forward to seeing you next week as I join Fr. Erick to celebrate the Feast of Gaudaloupe.
