Our Lady of Guadelupe

This is how the story goes: in the early part of the 16th Century in the newly Spanish colony of Mexico, a peasant named Juan Diego went walking up a sacred hill called Tepeyac. As Juan Diego approached the crest of the hill he saw a girl of about 15 or 16 walking towards him. As the girl drew nearer a corona of light appeared all around her, and she addressed Juan Diego in Nauhutl, the language of the place, asking him to build a church at the site in her honor. Juan Diego reported the apparition to Bishop Zumarraga, who demanded a miraculous sign before he would commence construction. Diego returned the next day with an arm full of Castilian roses and a cloak covered with an image of the Virgin, dressed in a starry blue robe, spiky rays of light emanating from her body.

This image has become a symbol not only of the Mother of God, but also of Mexican Catholic identity. Enter any Hispanic grocery store and you can find shelves of Our Lady of Guadelupe votive candles. Truck drivers hang her image from their rearview mirror, and Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla famously declared the start of the Mexican war of independence with a cry of, "Death to the Spaniards and long live the Virgin of Guadelupe!"

This month's peace prayer celebrates the healing aspect of the Virgin's presence. We will pray the Magnificat together, in Spanish and in English, enjoy beautiful hymns to Mary, and listen to the words of Kathleen Judge, a CSJ who spent much of her life in Peru.

Details:

This event will take place on Friday, December 11th, in the Pro House chapel, across the street from the Administration Center of the Sisters. It will begin at 6:15 and end at 7:00. All are welcome - please join us!