Each year on December 12th, Catholics around the world celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most significant Marian devotions in the Americas. This revered feast commemorates the miraculous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a humble Aztec convert named Juan Diego in 1531 (Elizondo, 1997).
According to accounts, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City, identifying herself as "the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the true God" and instructing him to request that the bishop build a church in her honor (Poole, 1995). When Juan Diego relayed the request, the bishop demanded a sign. The Virgin then miraculously caused roses to bloom on the barren hill, which Juan Diego gathered in his tilma (cloak). When he unveiled the tilma before the bishop, an image of the Virgin herself had been imprinted upon it, inspiring the bishop to begin construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Elizondo, 1997).
The tilma and its iconic image have withstood the test of time, surviving numerous challenges over nearly five centuries. Today, the Basilica is one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world, and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe has spread throughout the Americas and beyond (Poole, 1995). Her Feast day remains a time of great celebration, pilgrimage, and reverence for the faithful.
Louisa Mastromarino is a certified counselor educator, certified psychic medium, and certified intuitive consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, a Master of Science Degree in School Counseling, and a post master’s degree in Supervision and Educational Leadership. Louisa is the author of Spifford Max and the Cycle Pups Go to Washington, D.C., Spifford Max and the Cycle Pups Go to New York City, Spifford Max and the Cycle Pups Go to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Brizzley Bear Loves Poetry and additional publications. Louisa's work has been highlighted in the noted publications Careers from the Kitchen Table by Raven Blair Davis and Miracles in the Divine by Beverly Pokorski. For distant appointments in spiritual coaching, psychic readings, or energy medicine email distantholistic@gmail.com. Thank you.
References
Elizondo, V. (1997). Guadalupe: Mother of the new creation. Orbis Books.
Poole, S. (1995). Our Lady of Guadalupe: The origins and sources of a Mexican national symbol, 1531-1797. University of Arizona Press.
Comments