Cristy Li

May the Intercession of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’
be With All Pregnant Women and their Unborn Children

(CNA) In December 1531 Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego (Feast Day: 09 December) who was hurrying down Tepeyac Hill to Celebrate Mass in Mexico City

According to SQPN the apparition identifying herself as the Mother of God, she instructed Juan Diego to tell Bishop Zumarraga to build a Church on the site where she stood.

Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary remained at the same place that evening and the following day awaiting on the Bishop’s response. At first, Bishop Zumarraga did not immediately believe Juan Diego, having him examined and watched but subsequently the Bishop told Juan Diego, to ask the Lady who claimed she was the Mother of God for a sign.

Juan Diego agreed readily to ask her for a sign desired by the Bishop. Juan was busy all of the next day with his uncle Bernardino dying of a fever, medicines had failed and it appeared that his days were short. At day break the following day, Juan ran to nearby St. James Convent for a Priest. In order to avoid the apparition and the untimely message of the Bishop, Juan slipped around where the well Chapel now stands but Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary crossed down to meet him and said, “What road is thou takest son?”

A tender dialogue reportedly ensued. The Blessed Virgin Mary reassured Juan about his uncle (to whom she had also briefly appeared and cured him) calling herself the ‘Holy Mary of Guadalupe’ she instructed Juan to return to the Bishop — Juan asked the Blessed Virgin Mary for a ‘sign’ which the Bishop required.

Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary told him to go to the rocks and gather roses. Juan knew it was neither the time or the place for roses but he did as he was instructed. Finding them just as she said, he gathered as many as his tilma (an outer garment/cloak worn by men during that period) would hold and returned to the Blessed Virgin Mary — She would rearrange the roses and told Juan to keep them untouched and unseen until he had seen the Bishop.

Doing just as he was told, when Juan again met with Bishop Zumarraga, he unfolded his tilma, the roses wet with dew fell out. Juan was startled to see the Bishop and his Attendants kneeling before him as the life size figure of the Blessed Virgin Mother just as Juan had described her was glowing on the tima. — The image was Venerated, guarded in the Bishop’s Chapel and soon thereafter carried in procession to the preliminary shrine.

An incredible list of miracles, cures and interventions have been attributed to ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ — Each year, an estimated ten million people visit her Basilica, making her Mexico City home the most popular Marian Shrine in the world and the most visited Catholic Church in the world after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Although 24 Popes have officially honored ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ Pope Saint John Paul II visited her Sanctuary four times.

The Feast of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ is celebrated on this date after Pope Saint John Paul II declared in his Homily at the ‘Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe’ in 1999 — the 12 December, as the Liturgical Holy Day for the entire continent. During this visit Pope Saint John Paul II entrusted the cause of life to “Blessed Mary, Mother of Christ and the Church” placing under her Motherly care the innocent lives of children, especially those who are in danger of not being born.

• Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your apparitions on Mt. Tepeyac, you promised to show pity and compassion to all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and protection.

Accordingly listen now to our supplications, grant us consolation and relief. We are full of hope that relying on your help, nothing can trouble or affect us. As you have remained with us through your admirable image, so now obtain for us, the graces we need. Amen.

More here from The Integrated Catholic Life and here from EWTN