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This Thursday, December 12, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico, Empress of the Americas, and Patroness of the Unborn Children. I was born and raised in Mexico, so I feel blessed to be able to share with you a little bit about her.
Pope Francis visited Mexico City on February 2016 and celebrated the Holy Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I want to share with you what he said:
“On that morning in December 1531, . . . God awakened the hope of his son Juan, and the hope of a People. On that morning, God roused the hope of the little ones, of the suffering, of those displaced or rejected, of all who feel they have no worthy place in these lands. . . . On that morning, Juancito experienced in his own life what hope is, what the mercy of God is. He was chosen to oversee, care for, protect and promote the building of this Shrine.
“On many occasions he said to Our Lady that he was not the right person. . . . Visiting this Shrine, the same things that happened to Juan Diego can also happen to us. Look at the Blessed Mother from within our own sufferings, our own fear, hopelessness, sadness, and say to her, ‘What can I offer since I am not learned?’ We look to our Mother with eyes that express our thoughts: there are so many situations which leave us powerless, which make us feel that there is no room for hope.
“Mary tells us that she has ‘the honor’ of being our mother, assuring us that those who suffer do not weep in vain. These ones are a silent prayer rising to heaven, always finding a place in Mary’s mantle. . . . Am I not your mother? Am I not here with you? Mary says this to us again. Go and build my shrine, help me to lift up the lives of my sons and daughters, who are your brothers and sisters.”
Dear Jesus, may we follow Our Lady’s call to build your Kingdom among our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Image credit: Noradoa/Shutterstock.com
