Thoughts about Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sisters Janice Wiechman, Isabel Berrones and Aurora Tovar

One day when I lived in Chicago, I was reflecting on Our Lady of Guadalupe. I realized that she had appeared to Juan Diego about 10 years after the Aztec people had been conquered by the Spanish. She appeared to a people who were conquered and oppressed, not seen as equal to their conquerors. Mary appeared to Juan Diego, spoke to Juan in his native language, and used symbols in her clothing that he could understand. She asked him to ask the bishop for a place where she could receive the suffering people and be as a mother to them.

Thinking about this today, it occurs to me that in her appearance, she challenged the racism of that day. She chose to look like, speak like and use symbols of those seen as less than. She lovingly stood, and continues to stand, at their side affirming them by her very presence.

There is a tradition of praying 46 rosaries, for the 46 stars in the mantle of Our Lady, in preparation for celebrating the day on December 12. Every day from October 27 to December 11, thousands of Mexican families are united by the prayer of the rosary. It is a devotion that strengthens the relationships between families; and where children learn love and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the value of her intercession.

Maria de Guadalupe has been present in God's Plan, so that God himself could manifest himself. We beg the Virgin of Guadalupe that in this time of pandemic, she fill our hearts with hope and ardor to proclaim new ways of evangelizing, to be as the scripture says: "You are a people acquired by God to proclaim the works of the One who called you to come out of the darkness and enter God’s wonderful light (1 Peter 2, 9)."

We wish you many blessings as you celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.