The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2022

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here’s a little history about her:

Juan Diego, a poor Aztec Indian and Christian convert, was walking in the hills near what is now Mexico City. He encountered an apparition of a beautiful lady who identified herself as the ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God. She said a church should be built in that place and instructed Juan Diego to tell the bishop. The bishop asked for proof of what Juan Diego said he had seen and heard. The poor man returned to the hillside spot and again saw the Virgin. She told him to climb to the top of the hill and gather flowers for the bishop. Once there, Juan Diego found Castilian roses, which were not in season (it was freezing!) and not native to the region. The Blessed Mother arranged the flowers in Juan’s tilma (a simple cloak), admonishing him to open it only in the presence of the bishop. When Juan Diego arrived at the bishop’s residence and opened the cloak, the flowers fell to the floor. Left on the surface of the tilma was the image of Mary that has come to be known as “Our Lady of Guadalupe.” Juan Diego was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

Here is an example of her motherly concern (when speaking to Juan Diego): “Listen, and let it penetrate your heart, my dear little son; do not be troubled or weighted down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?”

Our Lady of Guadalupe is known as the Patroness of the Americas and also of the Unborn. For more on Our Lady of Guadalupe, click here.