“And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the most visited Catholic Shrine in the world. Churches, centuries old and modern, sit at the foot of Tepeyac Hill where our merciful mother appeared to a young boy, now Saint Juan Diego. Hourly masses are filled with the faithful gazing at the tilma, or cloak, where the Virgin’s miraculous image appears.
In December 1513, Juan Diego informed his bishop that Mary had appeared to him. The bishop wanted proof. When the Virgin reappeared she said, “Littlest and dearest, listen to me. Do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?” She directed him to climb a hill and pick roses that should not be blooming. He did, placing them in his tilma, bringing them to the bishop. When he opened the cloak, the roses had left her image.
Reflect today on Mary’s motherly love, holding us in her arms and protecting us. She counsels us to be unafraid. She accompanies us; bringing us, each day, closer to her divine Son. Think of today as Mother’s Day. Her love is pure. Is there anything else we need?
Virgen Santísima de Guadalupe, Nuestra Madre y Madre de las Américas, refúgianos bajo el manto de tu protección, mantennos en el abrazo de tus brazos, ayúdanos a conocer siempre el amor de tu Hijo, Jesús. Amén.
John Ciccone