clothed in the sun with the moon at her feet and transformed the Aztec/Mayan
people who were practicing human sacrifice. Within 9 years of her appearance, 9
million were baptized into the Catholic Church.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the reason that Mexico became a Catholic
country.
Mark brought home a life-sized replica of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s image. He
uses it during presentations that he is frequently invited to give on this
amazing story.
and of the unborn, giving us great hope to overcome the culture of death of
today. Our family looks upon her every day since her image is prominently
displayed in our living room. I pray
often for her intercession, simply saying, “Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray
for us.”
The story is both simple and complex in all the deep
meaning and miracles that it contains.
One of my favorite parts of the story is about the Castilian roses that
Our Lady helped place in Juan Diego’s tilma as a sign to Bishop Zumarragu that
the apparitions were real.
Spanish soldiers, and nine years after the end of their battles, conversions to
the Catholic faith occurred at a snail’s pace. It even seemed that the natives were ready to
revolt against the Spanish. Bishop Zumarraga prayed for Our
Blessed Mother to intervene in the situation.
He wrote in his journal that he had asked for a sign that his prayer
would be answered: roses from his homeland of Castile, Spain.
When Juan Diego returned as the bishop requested with
a sign that the apparitions were real– Castilian roses—that alone was a
miraculous sign since they did not grow in Mexico, let alone in the middle of
December. Juan did not realize until
after he opened his cloak to show the roses, that image of Our Blessed Mother
was emblazoned on his tilma.
The Bishop and others in the room fell to
their knees as they saw the miraculous image. But the roses were not a just a decoy,
merely serving to hide the bigger surprise.
Mary had provided a clear and personal sign to the bishop. Not only did Juan Diego speak the truth about
the apparitions, but also Zumarraga had received a personal message from Our
Lady of Guadalupe that his prayer would be answered.
developing country. The Blessed Mother
was a dear mother to them both. The story gives assurance to us all, for she is
our dear mother too.
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