Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the only image of Mary where Mary is shown pregnant with the child Jesus. I love that about her!
She appeared to St. Juan Diego in the Tepayak hill country.
"My dear little 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. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace. So run now to Tenochtitlan and tell the Bishop all that you have seen and heard."
This bishop took Juan Diego's message into consideration but Juan Diego did not think he would be able to persuade the bishop. He returned to the place he first met the Lady and found her waiting for him there. He did not feel worthy of the job.
Our Lady responded, "My little son, there are many I could send. But you are the one I have chosen."
She encouraged him to try again the next day. This time the bishop asked for a sign of proof that the Lady was who she said she was. Juan Diego returned to the Lady with the bishop's response.
"My little son, am I not your Mother? Do not fear. The Bishop shall have his sign. Come back to this place tomorrow. Only peace, my little son."
However Juan Diego did not return to the Lady because his uncle had fallen sick. A few days later Juan Diego passed Tepayak hill on his way to find a priest. The Lady met him there.
"Do not be distressed, my littlest son. Am I not here with you who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Your uncle will not die at this time. There is no reason for you to engage a priest, for his health is restored at this moment. He is quite well. Go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers that are growing there. Bring them then to me."
Though it was freezing he obeyed. He found in full bloom Castilian roses! He placed them in his tilma and brought them to Mary who then arranged them with her hands.
"My little son, this is the sign I am sending to the Bishop. Tell him that with this sign I request his greatest efforts to complete the church I desire in this place. Show these flowers to no one else but the Bishop. You are my trusted ambassador. This time the Bishop will believe all you tell him."
When Juan Diego returned to the bishop and opened his tilma, the roses fell to the floor. The Bishop and his advisers fell to their knees when they saw what was imprinted in his tilma. Our Lady of Guadalupe's image.
Needless to say the Church was built and thousands were converted to Christianity.
(Quotes from Catholic Online)
As I go back and reread about the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego I realize great healing points in her coming that I hadn't acknowledged before.
She appeared to St. Juan Diego in the Tepayak hill country.
"My dear little 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. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace. So run now to Tenochtitlan and tell the Bishop all that you have seen and heard."
This bishop took Juan Diego's message into consideration but Juan Diego did not think he would be able to persuade the bishop. He returned to the place he first met the Lady and found her waiting for him there. He did not feel worthy of the job.
Our Lady responded, "My little son, there are many I could send. But you are the one I have chosen."
She encouraged him to try again the next day. This time the bishop asked for a sign of proof that the Lady was who she said she was. Juan Diego returned to the Lady with the bishop's response.
"My little son, am I not your Mother? Do not fear. The Bishop shall have his sign. Come back to this place tomorrow. Only peace, my little son."
However Juan Diego did not return to the Lady because his uncle had fallen sick. A few days later Juan Diego passed Tepayak hill on his way to find a priest. The Lady met him there.
"Do not be distressed, my littlest son. Am I not here with you who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Your uncle will not die at this time. There is no reason for you to engage a priest, for his health is restored at this moment. He is quite well. Go to the top of the hill and cut the flowers that are growing there. Bring them then to me."
Though it was freezing he obeyed. He found in full bloom Castilian roses! He placed them in his tilma and brought them to Mary who then arranged them with her hands.
"My little son, this is the sign I am sending to the Bishop. Tell him that with this sign I request his greatest efforts to complete the church I desire in this place. Show these flowers to no one else but the Bishop. You are my trusted ambassador. This time the Bishop will believe all you tell him."
When Juan Diego returned to the bishop and opened his tilma, the roses fell to the floor. The Bishop and his advisers fell to their knees when they saw what was imprinted in his tilma. Our Lady of Guadalupe's image.
Needless to say the Church was built and thousands were converted to Christianity.
(Quotes from Catholic Online)
As I go back and reread about the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego I realize great healing points in her coming that I hadn't acknowledged before.
- Mary desires us, her children! She wants to love, comfort, console and Mother us through the Church and her Son.
- She tells us we are chosen though we may not feel worthy.
- "Do not fear!" The same words the angel Gabriel spoke to her at the Annunciation.
- She is our Mother.
- She encourages us to trust.
Today I am really sensing the cross barren women carry within them. The fear of being without child forever or having to accept never getting to carry another life within. The sorrow and pain the woman endures. Oh too great for me to even imagine. Like Mary, woman naturally wants to mother. To not be given that gift is heartbreaking and something I can't begin to fathom.
However I look at Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is with child. I see in her hope. I feel in my heart the gift of healing she longs to share. Not just for pregnant women, women who can't become pregnant but for everyone.
I ask you oh beautiful and wonderful good Lady of Guadalupe, to hear the intentions of our hearts.
To hear and to heal pain, sorrow, suffering, and brokenness that lies within.
I trust into your care all women yearning, praying and begging for life within themselves. In whatever shape or form that may be.
I seek Virgin Mary for you to carry these intentions to your Son. You carried him within your womb and I know he will listen to you.
All of my heart's pleas I place at the feet of your Son. May my heart be open to hoping and trusting in your Motherly care.
Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Something about her eyes that make me feel close to her.
Pray for us, dear Momma!
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