Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Thursday, December 11
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Desde el cielo, una hermosa mañana,
La Guadalupana, bajó al Tepeyac.
From heaven on a beautiful morning,
the Guadalupan Lady came down to Tepeyac.

In 1532, on Tepeyac Hill in northern Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe
approached Juan Diego with flowers and music, symbols of heaven in his culture. She dressed like him and spoke to him in Nahuatl, his first language. Our Lady came to Juan Diego in the same way Jesus comes to us—by moving toward us first, seeking us out in our ordinary experience. This is what love is: stepping beyond oneself to encounter and embrace another.

For today’s feast, we pray with a festive hymn that retells the story
of Juan Diego and Our Lady. In the retelling, we remember that she also
comes to us right where we are.

Prayer for Morning
Mary, our Mother, you came to invigorate faith in your Son here in the
Americas. Give me courage and use me as your messenger.

Ponder Today
How can I follow Mary’s model of encounter today by noticing a detail
or preference from someone and taking an active interest in their story?

Prayer for Evening
Mother Mary, you protect and hold us under your mantle. Help me to trust
in your care for me—that you are ready to receive me as I am and will bring
my concerns and worries to your son. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for me.