The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe

"Ten years after the seizure of the city of Mexico, the war came to an end and there was peace amongst the people; in this manner, faith started to bud, the understanding of the true God, for whom we live. At that time, in the year fifteen hundred and thirty-one, in the early days of the month of December, it happened that there lived a poor Indian, named Juan Diego, said being a native of Cuautitlán. Of all things spiritually he belonged to Tlaltilolco.
On a Saturday just before dawn, he was on his way to pursue divine worship and to engage in his own errands. As he reached the base of the hill known as Tepeyac, came the break of day, and he heard singing atop the hill, resembling singing of varied beautiful birds. 
Occasionally the voices of the songsters would cease, and it appeared as if the mount responded. The song, very mellow and delightful, excelled that of the coyoltototl and the tzinizcan and of other pretty singing birds. Juan Diego stopped to look and said to himself: 'By fortune, am I worthy of what I hear? Maybe I dream? Am I awakening? Where am I? Perhaps I am now in the terrestrial paradise which our elders had told us about? Perhaps I am now in heaven?'
He was looking toward the east, on top of the mound, from whence came the precious celestial chant, and then it suddenly ceased and there was silence. He then heard a voice from above the mount saying to him: “Juanito, Juan Dieguito.” Then he ventured and went to where he was called. He was not frightened in the least; on the contrary, overjoyed. 
Then he climbed the hill, to see from where he was being called. When he reached the summit, he saw a Lady, who was standing there and told him to come hither. Approaching her presence, he marveled greatly at her superhuman grandeur; her garments were shining like the sun; the cliff where she rested her feet, pierced with glitter, resembling an anklet of precious stones, and the earth sparkled like the rainbow. The mezquites, nopales, and other different weeds, which grow there, appeared like emeralds, their foliage like turquoise, and their branches and thorns glistened like gold. He bowed before her and herd her word, tender and courteous, like someone who charms and esteems you highly.
She said: 'Juanito, xocoyote mio [the smallest of my sons], where are you going?' He replied: 'My Lady, my xocoyota, I have to reach your church in Mexico, Tlaltilolco, to pursue things divine, taught and given to us by our priests, delegates of Our Lord.'"

To be continued...

Opening Prayer

Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Hear the many voices of our land,
Pleading for the mercy of your Son,
Seeking the shepherd's voice to lead them home.
Hear the praise of your sons and daughters
And bid your Son to free us
From the scourges of addiction, selfishness, and want.

Novena Prayer

O Mary conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful children who call upon you under the glorious title of Guadalupe. Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always: may His will be done on earth as it is in heaven... (mention your request here).

Our Father...
Hail Mary... x3
Glory Be...

Meditation

When we look toward a future of unknowns, anxiety and worry should not consume our hearts. Instead, we should take each day as an opportunity to better understand God, His will and plan for us by giving Him the chance to prove His faithfulness and trustworthiness as God has nothing but the best for all of us.
Our Lord in Jeremiah 29:11 said, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe!  Plans to give you a future full of hope!”  And to this, our response should be just as our Mother Mary responded to Angel Gabriel,  “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
Our attitude should be as our Mother Mary when she said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
Heavenly Father, let me ascend to your hill with clean hands that are sinless, with a clean heart that desires not what is vain. In Jesus, I hope and trust. Amen.

Closing Prayer

O Lady of Guadalupe, 
Pray for the Church in America,
And walk with us in the new millennium of faith.

Memorare of Our Lady of Guadalupe: click the Pray button below.

Pictures:

1) Icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as seen on www.monasteryicons.com

2) Our Lady and Juan Diego - artist unknown.