Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast: December 12 [Repost]

EWTN.com ^ | not given | EWTN

[Salvation]

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Feast: December 12
 

Information:

Feast Day:	December 12
More on Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe

 

In the sixteenth century, the Blessed Virgin, moved with pity for the Aztec people who, living in the darkness of idolatry, offered to their idols multitudes of human victims, deigned to take into her own hands the evangelization of these Indians of Central America who were also her children. One of the Aztec gods, originally considered the god of fertility, had transformed himself over time into a ferocious god. A symbol of the sun, this god was in continuous battle with the moon and the stars and was believed to need human blood to restore his strength; if he died, life would be extinguished. Ever new victims, to be offered to him in perpetual sacrifice, therefore seemed essential.

An eagle on a cactus

Aztec priests had prophesied that their nomadic people would settle in the place where an eagle would be seen perched on a cactus, devouring a serpent. This eagle appears on the Mexican flag today. Having arrived on a swampy island, in the middle of Lake Texcoco, the Aztecs saw the foretold sign: an eagle, perched on a cactus, was devouring a serpent. This was in 1369. There they founded their town Tenochtitlan, which would become Mexico City. The town expanded to become a city on pilings, with many gardens abounding in flowers, fruit, and vegetables. The organization of the Aztec kingdom was very structured and hierarchical. The knowledge of their mathematicians, astronomers, philosophers, architects, doctors, artists, and artisans was excellent for that time. But the laws of the physical world remained scarcely known. Tenochtitlan drew its power and wealth primarily from war. The conquered cities had to pay a tribute of various foodstuffs and men for war and sacrifices. The Aztecs' human sacrifices and cannibalism are almost unequaled throughout the course of history.

In 1474, a child was born who was given the name Cuauhtlatoazin ("speaking eagle"). After his father's death, the child was taken in by his uncle. From the age of three, he was taught, as were all young Aztecs, to join in domestic tasks and to behave in a dignified manner. At school, he learned singing, dancing, and especially the worship of many gods. The priests had a very strong influence over the population, whom they kept in a submission bordering on terror. Cuauhtlatoazin was thirteen years old when the great temple at Tenochtitlan was consecrated. Over the course of four days, the priests sacrificed 80,000 human victims to their god. After his military service, Cuauhtlatoazin married a young woman of his social status. Together they led a modest life as farmers.

In 1519, the Spaniard Cortez disembarked in Mexico, leading 500 soldiers. He conquered the country for Spain, yet was not lacking in zeal for the evangelization of the Aztecs. In 1524 he obtained the arrival of twelve Franciscans to Mexico. These missionaries quickly integrated into the population. Their goodness contrasted with the harshness of the Aztec priests, as well as that of some conquistadors. They began to build churches. However, the Indians were reluctant to accept Baptism, primarily because it would require them to abandon polygamy.

Cuauhtlatoazin and his wife were among the first to receive Baptism, under the respective names of Juan Diego and Maria Lucia. After his wife's death in 1529, Juan Diego withdrew to Tolpetlac, 14 km from Mexico City, to the home of his uncle, Juan Bernardino, who had become a Christian as well. On December 9, 1531, as was his custom every Saturday, he left very early in the morning to attend the Mass celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin, at the Franciscan fathers' church, close to Mexico City. He walked past Tepeyac Hill. Suddenly, he heard a gentle and resounding song that seemed to come from a great multitude of birds. Raising his eyes to the top of the hill, he saw a white and radiant cloud. He looked around him and wondered if he was dreaming. All of a sudden, the song stopped and a woman's voice, gentle and graceful, called him: "Juanito, Juan Dieguito!" He quickly climbed the hill and found himself in the presence of a very beautiful young woman whose garments shone like the sun.

"A church where I will show my love"

Speaking to him in Nahuatl, his native language, she said to him, "Juanito, my son, where are you going?"—"Noble Lady, my Queen, I am going to the Mass in Mexico City to hear the divine things that the priest teaches us there."—"I want you to know for certain, my dear son, that I am the perfect and always Virgin MARY, Mother of the True God from Whom all life comes, the Lord of all things, Creator of Heaven and Earth. I greatly desire that a church be built in my honor, in which I will show my love, compassion, and protection. I am your Mother full of mercy and love for you and all those who love Me, trust in Me, and have recourse to Me. I will hear their complaints and I will comfort their affliction and their sufferings. So that I might show all My love, go now to the bishop in Mexico City and tell him that I am sending you to make known to him the great desire I have to see a church dedicated to me built here."

Juan Diego went straight to the bishop. Bishop Zumárraga, a Franciscan, the first bishop of Mexico, was a pious man and full of zeal, who had a heart overflowing with kindness towards the Indians. He heard the poor man attentively, but fearing an illusion, did not put much faith in his story. Towards evening, Juan Diego started on his way home. At the top of Tepeyac Hill, he had the pleasant surprise of meeting the Apparition again. He told her about his mission, then added, "I beg you to entrust your message to someone more known and respected so that he will believe it. I am only a simple Indian whom you have sent as a messenger to an important person. Therefore, he didn't believe me, and I do not want to greatly disappoint you."—"My dearest son, "replied the Lady, "you must understand that there are many more noble men to whom I could have entrusted my message and yet, it is because of you that my plan will succeed. Return to the bishop tomorrow... Tell him that it is I myself, the Blessed Virgin MARY, Mother of God, who am sending you."

On Sunday morning after the Mass, Juan Diego went to the bishop's house. The prelate asked him many questions, then asked for a tangible sign of the truth of the apparition. When Juan Diego went home, the bishop had him discreetly followed by two servants. At Tepeyac Bridge, Juan Diego disappeared from their sight, and despite all their searches on the hill and in the surrounding area, they could not find him again. Furious, they declared to the bishop that Juan Diego was an impostor who must absolutely not be believed. During this time, Juan Diego told the beautiful Lady, who was waiting for him on the hill, about his most recent meeting with the bishop. "Come back tomorrow morning to seek the sign he is asking for," replied the Apparition.

Roses, in the middle of winter!

Returning home, the Indian found his uncle ill, and the next day, he had to stay at his bedside to take care of him. As the illness got worse, the uncle asked his nephew to go look for a priest. At dawn on Tuesday, December 12, Juan Diego started on the road to the city. Approaching Tepeyac Hill, he thought it best to make a detour so as not to meet the Lady. But suddenly, he perceived her coming to meet him. Embarrassed, he explained his situation and promised to come back when he had found a priest to administer last rites to his uncle. "My dear little one," replied the Apparition, "do not be distressed about your uncle's illness, because he will not die from it. I assure you that he will get well... Go to the top of the hill, pick the flowers that you will see there, and bring them to me." When he had arrived at the top of the hill, the Indian was stunned to find a great number of flowers in bloom, Castillian roses that gave off a very sweet fragrance. Indeed, in the winter, the cold allows nothing to survive, and besides, the place was too dry for flowers to grow there. Juan Diego gathered the roses, enfolded them in his cloak, or tilma, then went back down the hill. "My dear son," said the Lady, "these flowers are the sign that you are to give the bishop... This will get him to build the church that I have asked of him."

Juan Diego ran to the bishop. When he arrived, the servants made him wait for hours. Amazed at his patience, and intrigued by what he was carrying in his tilma, they finally informed the bishop, who, although with several people, had him shown in immediately. The Indian related his adventure, unfolded his tilma, and let the flowers, which were still shining with dew, scatter to the floor. With tears in his eyes, Bishop Zumárraga fell to his knees, admiring the roses from his country. All of a sudden, he perceived, on the tilma, the portrait of Our Lady. MARY's image was there, as though printed on the cloak, very beautiful and full of gentleness. The bishop's doubts gave way to a sure faith and a hope filled with wonder. He took the tilma and the roses, and placed them respectfully in his private oratory. The next day he went with Juan Diego to the hill where the apparitions had taken place. After having examined the sites, he let the seer return to his uncle's house. Juan Bernardino had been completely cured. His cure had taken place at the very hour when Our Lady appeared to his nephew. He told him, "I have also seen her. She even came here and talked to me. She wants a church to be built on Tepeyac Hill and wants her portrait to be called 'Saint MARY of Guadalupe.' But she didn't explain to me why." The name "Guadalupe" is well known by the Spanish, because in their country there is a very old sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The news of the miracle spread quickly. In a short time, Juan Diego became well-known. "I will spread your fame," MARY had told him, but the Indian remained as humble as ever. To make it easier to meditate on the Image, Bishop Zumárraga had the tilma transported to his cathedral. Then work was begun on the construction of a small church and a hermitage for Juan Diego on the hill of apparitions. The next December 25, the bishop consecrated his cathedral to the Most Blessed Virgin, to thank her for the remarkable favors with which she had blessed his diocese. Then, in a magnificent procession, the miraculous Image was carried to the sanctuary that had just been completed on Tepeyac Hill. To express their joy, the Indians shot arrows. One of them, shot carelessly, went through the throat of a participant in the procession, who fell to the ground, fatally wounded. A great silence fell and intense supplication rose to the Mother of God. Suddenly the wounded man, who had been placed at the foot of the miraculous Image, collected himself and got up, full of vigor. The crowd's enthusiasm was at its peak.

Millions of Indians become Christian

Juan Diego moved into his little hermitage, seeing to the maintenance and cleaning of the site. His life remained simple—he carefully farmed a field close to the sanctuary that had been placed at his disposal. He received pilgrims in ever larger numbers, and enjoyed talking about the Blessed Virgin and untiringly relating the details of the apparitions. He was entrusted with all kinds of prayer intentions. He listened, sympathized, and comforted. A good amount of his free time was spent in contemplation before the image of his Lady. He made rapid progress in the ways of holiness. Day after day, he fulfilled his duty as a witness up until his death on December 9, 1548, seventeen years after the first apparition.

When the Indians had learned the news of Our Lady's apparitions, an enthusiasm and joy such as had never been seen before spread among them. Renouncing their idols, superstitions, human sacrifices, and polygamy, many asked to be baptized. Nine years after the apparitions, nine million Indians had converted to the Christian faith—nearly 3,000 a day! The details of the Image of MARY moved the Indians deeply—this woman is greater than the sun-god since she appears standing before the sun. She surpasses the moon god since she keeps the moon under her feet. She is no longer of this world since she is surrounded by clouds and is held above the world by an angel. Her folded hands show her in prayer, which means that there is Someone greater than she...

Even in our time, the mystery of this miraculous Image remains. The tilma, a large apron woven by hand from cactus fibers, bears the holy Image, which is 1.43 meters tall. The Virgin's face is perfectly oval and is a gray color verging on pink. Her eyes have a profound expression of purity and gentleness. The mouth seems to smile. The very beautiful face, similar to that of a mestizo Indian, is framed by a black head of hair that, up close, is comprised of silky locks. She is clad in a full tunic, of a pinkish red hue that no one has ever been able to reproduce, and that goes to her feet. Her bluish-green mantle is edged with gold braid and studded with stars. A sun of various shades forms a magnificent background, with golden rays shining out.

The fact that the tilma has remained perfectly preserved from 1531 to this day is inexplicable. After more than four centuries, this fabric of mediocre quality retains the same freshness and the same lively color as when it was new. By comparison, a copy of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe painted in the 18th century with great care, and preserved under the same climatic conditions as Juan Diego's, had completely deteriorated in a few years.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a painful period of revolutions in Mexico, a load of dynamite was put by unbelievers at the foot of the Image, in a vase of flowers. The explosion destroyed the marble steps on the main altar, the candelabras, all the flower-holders. The marble altarpiece was broken into pieces, the brass Christ on the tabernacle was split in two. The windows in most of the houses near the basilica were broken, but the pane of glass that was protecting the Image was not even cracked. The Image remained intact.

The most moving experience of my life

In 1936, an examination conducted on two fibers from the tilma, one red and the other yellow, led to an astounding finding—the fibers contained no known coloring agent. Ophthalmology and optics confirm the inexplicable nature of the Image—it seems to be a slide projected onto the fabric. Closer analysis shows that there is no trace of drawing or sketching under the color, even though perfectly recognizable retouches were done on the original, retouches which moreover have deteriorated with time. In addition, the background never received any primer, which seems inexplicable if it is truly a painting, for even on the finest fabric, a coat is always applied, if only to prevent the fabric from absorbing the painting and the threads from breaking the surface. No brush strokes can be detected. After an infrared analysis conducted on May 7, 1979, a professor from NASA wrote, "There is no way to explain the quality of the pigments used for the pink dress, the blue veil, the face and the hands, or the permanence of the colors, or the vividness of the colors after several centuries, during which they ordinarily should have deteriorated... Studying this Image has been the most moving experience of my life."

Astronomers have observed that all the constellations present in the heavens at the moment Juan Diego opened his tilma before Bishop Zumárraga on December 12, 1531, are in their proper place on MARY's mantle. It has also been found that by imposing a topographical map of central Mexico on the Virgin's dress, the mountains, rivers and principal lakes coincide with the decoration on this dress.

Ophthalmological tests have found that MARY's eye is a human eye that appears to be living, and includes the retina, in which is reflected the image of a man with outstretched hands—Juan Diego. The image in the eye conforms to the known laws of optics, particularly to that which states that a well-lighted object can be reflected three times in an eye (Purkinje-Samson's law). A later study allowed researchers to discover in the eye, in addition to the seer, Bishop Zumárraga and several other people present when the image of Our Lady appeared on the tilma. And the normal microscopic network of veins in the eyelids and the cornea of the Virgin's eyes is completely recognizable. No human painter would have been able to reproduce such details.

Three months pregnant

Gynecological measurements have determined that the Virgin in the Image has the physical dimensions of a woman who is three months pregnant. Under the belt that holds the dress in place, at the very location of the embryo, a flower with four petals stands out—the Solar Flower, the most familiar of Aztec hieroglyphs, and which symbolized for them divinity, the center of the earth, heaven, time, and space. On the Virgin's neck hangs a brooch, the center of which is decorated with a little cross, recalling the death of Christ on the Cross for the salvation of all mankind. Many other details of the Image of MARY form an extraordinary document for our age, which is able to observe them thanks to modern technology. Thus science, which has often been a pretext for unbelief, helps us today to give prominence to signs that had remained unknown for centuries and that science is unable to explain.

The Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe bears a message of evangelization: the Basilica of Mexico is a center "from which flows a river of the light of the Gospel of Christ, spreading throughout the earth through the merciful Image of MARY" (John Paul II, December 12, 1981 ). In addition, through her intervention on behalf of the Aztec people, the Virgin played a role in saving innumerable human lives, and her pregnancy can be interpreted as a special appeal on behalf of unborn children and the defense of human life. This appeal has a burning relevance in our time, when threats against the lives of individuals and peoples, especially lives that are weak and defenseless, are widespread and becoming more serious. The Second Vatican Council forcefully deplored crimes against human life: "All offenses against life itself, such as murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia... all these and the like are criminal: they poison civilization ; and they debase the perpetrators more than the victims and militate against the honor of the Creator" ( Gaudium et Spes, 27). Faced with these plagues, which are expanding as a result of scientific progress and technology, and which benefit from wide social consensus as well as legal recognition, let us call upon MARY with confidence. She is an "incomparable model of how life should be welcomed and cared for... Showing us her Son, she assures us that in Him the forces of death have already been defeated" (John Paul II, Evangelium vitae, March 25, 1995, nos. 102, 105). "Death and life are locked in an incredible battle; the Author of life, having died, lives and reigns" (Easter Sequence).

Let us ask Saint Juan Diego, canonized by Pope John Paul II on July 31, 2002, to inspire us with a true devotion to our Mother of Heaven, for "MARY's compassion extends to all those who appeal to her, even when this appeal is nothing more than a simple 'Hail, MARY'" (Saint Alphonsus de Liguori ). Especially if we have fallen into serious sin, she who is Mother of Mercy will obtain for us the Mercy of God.

---

EWTN Document Library:

Fr. Kevin P. Gallagher - Story of Guadalupe Begins With Little Hill in Mexico City

Fr. Gallagher recounts the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This article appeared in the September 1, 1994 issue of 'The Arlington Catholic Herald.'

Manfred Hauke - Mother of God or Domesticated Goddess? Mary In Feminist Theology

An analysis of the role of Mary in Feminist theology, with special reference to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Luis Lasso de la Vega - Our Lady of Guadalupe

This file is a translation by Fr. Martinus Cawley of a text published in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs by Luis Lasso de la Vega in 1649 about the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It comes from a booklet printed by the Monks of Guadalupe, Guadalupe Abbey, Box 97, Lafayette, Oregon 97127.

Pope John Paul II - Visit to Mexico 99: Mass at Guadalupe

The homily and other remarks of the Holy Father at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 23 January 1999. On this occasion he formally promulgated his Exhortation to close the Synod of America Ecclesia in America.

Pope John Paul II - Visit to Mexico 90: Five Beatifications

Immediately after his arrival In Mexico (6 May) Pope John Paul went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe where he celebrated the Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Easter, during which he beatified three child martyrs of the earliest days of Mexico's evangelization (Cristobal [1514-1527], Juan [1516-1529] and Antonio [1516-1529]) and Fr Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851-1904). The Pope also solemnly recognized the cult which has been paid to Juan Diego, setting 9 December as his liturgical feast.

LOR - Our Lady of Guadalupe: Historical Sources

In this article, L'Osservatore Romano presents the evidence for the historicity of Juan Diego and of the early recognition of his encounter with Our Lady of Guadalupe. Also included is a "chronology of events related to the Miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe."

Dom Antoine Marie, O.S.B. - Saint Juan Diego

An account of St Juan Diego's visions of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the miracles which attended them, from a Monthly Letter sent by Abbaye Saint-Joseph de Clairval in France.

[Salvation]

Original thread (without the listed references) was posted by Lady in Blue

[Salvation]

Saint of the Day Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Saint of the Day Ping List.

[Salvation]

 

 

[Salvation]

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast: December 12 [Repost]
Brief History of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe [Catholic Caucus]

The History of Our Lady of Guadalupe [Ecumenical]
2 Questions related to Faith & Apologetics. A Feast day & Our Lady of Guadalupe [Catholic Caucus]
The Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe called 'Mother Without Borders' in Los Angeles (Catholic Caucus)
Hernándo Cortés and Our Lady

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Church Militant (Catholic Caucus)
Scientists certify Our Lady of Guadalupe tilma
STRANGE LIGHT CLAIMED IN GUADALUPE IMAGE AFTER MEXICO CITY OKAYED ABORTION
STRANGE LIGHT CLAIMED IN GUADALUPE IMAGE AFTER MEXICO CITY OKAYED ABORTION -- posted on News Forum
The Story of Guadalupe: Hope for Our Violent World

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Protectress of the Unborn
Was Our Lady of Guadalupe Wrong?
METHODIST CHURCH DISPLAYS VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE
GUADALUPE DEVOTION IS CROSSING INTO PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS
A Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Relic From Guadalupe Tilma to Tour U.S.
The Amazing Truth of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady Of Guadalupe
Celebrating 470 years of an ongoing miracle, the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe 1531
Science Stunned by Virgin of Guadalupe´s Eyes

[samiam1972]

To help celebrate, the kids and I are going to make a few recipes from this site.
http://www.cooking-mexican-recipes.com/

[diamond6]

bump

[Salvation]

Sounds like fun. There is a bi-lingual Mass going on right now, but I went to Mass this morning.

I have a holy hour at 8:99-9:00 and I was thinking about stopping in to see what they had for food. LOL!

What did you make, BTW?

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Rejoice, O Virgin Mother clothed with the sun!

By

Father Mark

on December 12, 2008 8:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Again this year, I want to present this beautiful Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. It is the work of Dr. Alexander Roman.

Akathist to Our Lady of Guadalupe

1
Kontakion 1
To Thee, our great and constant Intercessor before the Throne of Almighty God, do we,
Thy children, offer this hymn of praise, glorifying Thy wondrous Image revealed to Thy
humble servant, Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac, as we sing of Thy enduring heavenly
Protection of all who keep festival, joyfully exclaiming with arms uplifted: Rejoice, O
Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Ikos 1
The peoples of Mesoamerica saw a most Divine Light when they gazed upon Thy sacred
and miraculous image inscribed by the Finger of God upon the tilma of Juan Diego.
They recognized in it their salvation at last and liberation from the darkness of
enslavement to the cunning Serpent of old and they cried with grateful love amidst tears:

Rejoice, Most Immaculate Messenger from on High!
Rejoice, Great Sign that appeared in Heaven and in our midst!
Rejoice, Woman shining with the Brightness of Thy Son and our Lord!
Rejoice, Lady crushing the Serpent of old beneath thy feet!
Rejoice, Victor over evil!
Rejoice, Queen of Heaven and Earth!
Rejoice, unfailing Intercessor for those lost in darkness!
Rejoice, Star of the Sea bringing us to the harbor of safety!
Rejoice, Defender of children!
Rejoice, Protector of such as are of the Kingdom of Heaven!
Rejoice, Standing with the moon at Thy feet!
Rejoice, with hands enfolded in prayer to God on our behalf!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

2
Kontakion 2
Thy servant, Juan Diego, first saw Thee in Thy appearance on a hill. Thou didst
command him to witness to Thy desire to have a temple raised there to bring salvation to his people. Overjoyed by this Thy maternal condescension on earth toward us all, Thy
servant ran into the city, crying: Alleluia!

Ikos 2
Thy servant has truly imitated the Beloved Disciple, John, for he likewise took Thee as
his Mother to the home of his heart at the command of our Crucified Lord. Asking Thee
for the grace to do likewise, we sing:

Rejoice, Temple of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, Rock Unhewn!
Rejoice, Densely wooded Mount Thaeman!
Rejoice, for Thou dost call everyone to the Mountain!
Rejoice, for like Elias of old, Thou comest to destroy idols!
Rejoice, for Thy Image is our bridge over dangerous waters to Heaven!
Rejoice, Mother of Christ!
Rejoice, Mother of His Church!
Rejoice, for we became Thy children underneath Thy Son's Cross!
Rejoice, Mother of the Foundation Stone!
Rejoice, Rock Unquarried!
Rejoice, Hilltop leading to the Heavenly Kingdom!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother Clothed with the Sun!

3
Ikos 3

God has kept His secrets from the wise and powerful of the world, choosing, instead, to
reveal them to His humble servants and to children. Thou didst appear on earth to the
rejected as the Mother of the Sign that was rejected and accepted not by His own.

Marveling in wonder at God's Divine Providence, we sing:
Rejoice, Mother Who ponders God's secrets in Thy maternal heart!
Rejoice, Virgin Who received God's Word in Thy Womb without knowing man!
Rejoice, Ark of the New Covenant!
Rejoice, Helper of the afflicted!
Rejoice, Guardian of those without any to care for them!
Rejoice, Quick help of those who suffer!
Rejoice, Mother of Divine surprises!
Rejoice, Lady of Compassion!
Rejoice, our Joy above every joy!
Rejoice, pierced with a Sword of sorrow!
Rejoice, the cause of our freedom in Christ!
Rejoice, Lady whom all peoples call 'Blessed!'
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 4

Returning again and again to Thee, Thy servant, Juan, knew not what to say or do to
fulfill Thy request. Thou then didst command him to bring fresh, beautiful roses from the parched mountain to the bishop as a miraculous sign of Thy appearance on earth. Lifting the aromatic flowers into his tilma, Juan cried: Alleluia!

4
Ikos 4

Thou art truly all-wondrous in Thy miraculous power, O Lady-Theotokos, as through
Thee new life is born from dead earth. By Thy holy and constant intercessions, bring us
whose sins have deadened our souls to the fertile fields of faith and good works, making us live once more unto God, as we sing:

Rejoice, Rose of Sharon!
Rejoice, Lily of the Valley!
Rejoice, Flower of Carmel!
Rejoice, Aromatic Jonquil of Heavenly Delight!
Rejoice, new Staff of Aaron, budding with the Divine Flower!
Rejoice, Lady's Mantle bearing the droplets of Heavenly Grace!
Rejoice, Myrtle of constancy!
Rejoice, Fragrance of Incorruption!
Rejoice, new Moses that calls forth water from the desert rock!
Rejoice, Holy Cloud that nourishes the earth with the rain of Divine Grace!
Rejoice, Planter of the Seed of the Word Incarnate in our souls!
Rejoice, Gardener Who cultivates it to fruition in our lives!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 5
Thy humble servant went with joy and great anticipation to the palace of the bishop with the roses Thou didst give him as evidence of Thy appearance. Believing the flowers to be the final signal to all affirming Thy coming on earth, Juan unfurled his tilma. Upon
seeing the greater miracle of Thy image not made by human hands, all cried: Alleluia!

Ikos 5
The bishop joined with everyone in kneeling prayerfully before Thy miraculous Icon,
bowing to God's revelation of His salvation of the Americas through His Most Holy
Mother. Spellbound in wonder and amazement at Thy great love for those for whom Thy
Son died for on the Precious and Life-giving Cross, they all sang:

Rejoice, Icon revealing Thy Son and Lord Jesus Christ!
Rejoice, Image reflecting His Heavenly Glory!
Rejoice, Sign from Heaven, bringing us the Abundant Life!
Rejoice, our Mantle of Protection!
Rejoice, covering us with an outpouring of Grace!
Rejoice, Who appears to us when we know neither the day nor the hour!
Rejoice, for Thou didst call us to the Kingdom of God suddenly!
Rejoice, Who imprints the image of Thy Son on those who honour Thee!
Rejoice, Robe of salvation!
Rejoice, Armour of Christ!
Rejoice, Witness to the Divine Incarnation!
Rejoice, Holy Garment without seam!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 6
Acknowledging finally Thy appearance on earth through Thy holy image, those who
gazed in wonder at it saw it to signify the vision of the Beloved Disciple, John, in the
Apocalypse. They understood, at long last, that Thou came to call all to salvation and
free many from the darkness of pagan error. Praising God and Thee for these and many
other manifest mercies, they sang: Alleluia!

Ikos 6
God consecrated Thee to His service from Thy conception in the womb of Thy holy
mother, Anne. We honour Thee as the true Temple of the Holy Trinity and the Fount
through which Thy Son, our Lord Jesus, pours out His Mercy upon the world and
joyfully exclaim:

Rejoice, Holy Daughter of God the Father!
Rejoice, Precious Mother of God the Son!
Rejoice, Sanctified Temple of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, Cause of joy to Thy parents, Joachim and Anne!
Rejoice, conceived in holiness in the womb of Thy mother!
Rejoice, Vessel prepared by God to receive His Word!
Rejoice, Sacred Jar of the living Manna!
Rejoice, Most Holy and Immaculate Mother of God!
Rejoice, Candlestick bearing the Light that enlightens all!
Rejoice, She in Whom God was pleased to dwell!
Rejoice, for the Lord is truly with Thee!
Rejoice, for blessed art Thou amongst all women!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 7
Constant preaching and missions could not sway the people from sacrificing their
children to demons and paying tribute to the cunning Serpent of old. In Thy image of
Guadalupe, Thou didst reveal Thyself as "She who crushes the serpent," removing from
the earth the curse received through the spilled blood of innocent children. As the former slaves of the Serpent now flock in large numbers to become the servants of Thy Son through Thee, inspired by Thy image, we sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 7
Thou art the great Sign that appeared in Heaven, O Mother of God of Guadalupe, that
crushes the Serpent beneath Thy feet, delivering us from his enmity. Deliver us now
from all evil by Thine intercession as we sing to Thee:

Rejoice, Terror of demons!
Rejoice, Vanquisher of the evil one!
Rejoice, Destroyer of all his wiles!
Rejoice, bringing to nought his pride!
Rejoice, turning us firmly toward the Light that comes from the East!
Rejoice, Enlightenment of our darkness!
Rejoice, enrobed with the brightness of Thy Son!
Rejoice, crowned with the stars of Thy virtues!
Rejoice, with the moon at Thy feet!
Rejoice, Holy of Holies!
Rejoice, Unfading Bloom!
Rejoice, Life-giving Spring!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 8
Thy sacred image of Guadalupe manifests many miraculous signs and wonders to this
day, O Holy Mother of God. Even Thy eyes reflect Thy love for families kneeling in
prayer and asking Thy benevolent assistance. Pondering how Thou dost keep us all in
Thy motherly heart, praying for our needs and coming to our aid, we sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 8
The tilma of Juan Diego, Thy sainted servant, is like unto the Mantle of Divine Protection which Thou didst extend over Thy children at Constantinople and many other places, protecting them from the enemies of their lives and salvation. We honour it as Thy very special token to us of Thy loving care and concern for us and sing joyfully:

Rejoice, Heavenly Cover against which the darts of the evil one rebound!
Rejoice, Putting on us the Lord Jesus Christ, leaving no provision for the flesh!
Rejoice, Cloak of salvation!
Rejoice, Protection against dominions and principalities!
Rejoice, warding off the invisible armies of those whose name is "Legion!"
Rejoice, Defeat of the spiritual Tartarus!
Rejoice, Joy of all who run to Thy Mantle!
Rejoice, Salvation of all who die under it!
Rejoice, Invincible Ally in our spiritual struggles!
Rejoice, Banner of Love flying above the Divine Banqueting House!
Rejoice, Signal of Grace!
Rejoice, Fortress of Divine strength!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 9
Beginning with Juan Bernardino, the uncle of Thy servant, Juan Diego, Thy miraculous
image of Guadalupe has become an inexhaustible source of healings. No one seeking
Thy assistance or invoking Thine aid is turned away empty-handed, O Mother of
Guadalupe, as limbs are restored, sight is regained and illness is banished from the bodies of Thy children. Most of all, spiritual health is restored to our souls through Thy allpowerful intercession as we sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 9
Thy children come with tears to Thy Shrine at Guadalupe, O Mother of God, and return
home in the joy of being fed with the Divine Sheaves of Holy Communion and a greater
union with God through Thee and Thy miraculous image. Inspired by these wonders of
Divine Grace, we loudly exclaim:

Rejoice, Equal to the Apostles, bringing the world to Christ!
Rejoice, Ladder leading us up to the Kingdom of the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, Chalice in which we find the Bread of Life!
Rejoice, Censor that contains the Divine Coal!
Rejoice, Altar bearing the Creator of all!
Rejoice, Garment which clothes us in Grace!
Rejoice, Converter of souls!
Rejoice, Cause of our repentance!
Rejoice, imparting the grace of sanctification to all!
Rejoice, inspirer of prayer!
Rejoice, Tablet through which God inscribes His law on our hearts!
Rejoice, bringing us health of body and soul!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 10
Thou didst protect the children of old who were sacrificed to the cunning Serpent. Thou
didst dry up the streams of their blood and tears over the earth as Thou didst cast the
Serpent into hell from whence he came. We ask you, Most Holy Mother of Guadalupe,
to protect the children of our time from a similar fate - through the sin of being killed in their mother's wombs through abortion. As Thou are a Mother to all Thy children, we
sing to Thee: Alleluia!

Ikos 10
Thy image at Guadalupe, O Most Holy Mother, reveals Thee as the fulfillment of the
ancient prophecy that a Virgin shall be found to be with Child. Knowing each child to
bear the image of God, Thou art a sure defender of those whose angels are ever before the Face of God the Father as we sing to Thee:

Rejoice, Protector of the helpless little ones!
Rejoice, Defender of children in the wombs of their mothers!
Rejoice, for of such is the Kingdom of God!
Rejoice, for Thou dost not suffer the little ones to come to Thy Son!
Rejoice, for thousands of children were martyred by Herod to save Thy Son!
Rejoice, for Thou art surrounded by their souls as with a precious Crown!
Rejoice, for Thou art the support of mothers everywhere!
Rejoice, for Thou art their mainstay and hope!
Rejoice, for Thou nourishes them and their children on the Milk of Thy Grace!
Rejoice, for unto us a Son is born!
Rejoice, for His Name is Emmanuel!
Rejoice, for God is with us in a little Child!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 11
The peoples of Mexico and all the Americas wonder in amazement at God's lovingkindness in sending us the image not made by human hands of His Most Holy Mother to be with us in our suffering and need. The Church, in the Name of Christ Crucified, also commands us to take our Mother home with us, in that holy image, to be our Guide and sure Protection as Thy faithful servants. And we lovingly obey, as we sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 11
Thy image has become a true well-spring of blessings to us all, Mother of Guadalupe.
You fill with joy each one of us who approaches in faith and the fear of the Lord, giving
us all that is to our benefit, as we joyfully proclaim:

Rejoice, Unquenchable Source of Miracles!
Rejoice, Motherly intercession that the Son will not refuse!
Rejoice, telling us to do all that Thy Son, in the Gospel, tells us!
Rejoice, filling the empty jars of our souls with the Wine of Joy!
Rejoice, leading us to the Cross to which is fastened the Divine Cluster!
Rejoice, Unploughed Field in which grew the Heavenly Wheat!
Rejoice, Protector of Mexico!
Rejoice, Defender of the Native peoples!
Rejoice, Patron of all the Americas!
Rejoice, our Hope!
Rejoice, our Expectation!
Rejoice, our Eternal Guide!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 12
Thousands flock in pilgrimage to Thy holy Shrine at Guadalupe, O All-Holy Mother of
God! We are constantly in a great pilgrimage, travelling to our home that is Heaven and
the Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Be Thou unto us our Leader
who guides us with Thine all-powerful intercession before the Throne of Thy Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, as we sing: Alleluia!

Ikos 12
Thou art the Mother of Light and the Source of our Enlightenment through the Grace and
Mercies of Thy Son, our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, O Most Holy Mother. As
we continually gaze at Thy miraculous image of Guadalupe, we are lost in love and
wonder at how much God truly loves us in having given us such a great and exalted
Mother Who is His own. Humbled by these thoughts, we sing:

Rejoice, Mother of Christ!
Rejoice, Mother of God Incarnate!
Rejoice, Mother of the true Light that enlightens us all!
Rejoice, Intercessor most powerful!
Rejoice, Joy of all Joys!
Rejoice, Quick to hear!
Rejoice, Keeper of the Gates!
Rejoice, our Heavenly Protection!
Rejoice, Lady of Mount Zion!
Rejoice, Beacon on the Mountain!
Rejoice, Ray of Light emanating from the Sun!
Rejoice, our beloved Mother!
Rejoice, O Lady from Heaven, Virgin-Mother clothed with the Sun!

Kontakion 13
Most Holy Mother of God, Thou didst reveal Thy miraculous image to Thy humble
servant, St. Juan Diego, at Tepeyac to bring the Light of Thy Son to the peoples of
Mesoamerica enslaved by the Serpent of old. Be our sure protection and guide
throughout our lives, pouring on us the Divine Grace of Thy Son through Thy
intercession, until we reach the place from whence Thou didst come to us, the Heavenly
Kingdom of Thy Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, as we sing: Alleluia! (3 times).

(Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are repeated here).

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos of Guadalupe

O Theotokos of Guadalupe, accept this humble hymn of praise from us Thy servants in
honour of Thy miraculous image not made by human hands. Cover us with the Mantle of Thy Protection and guide with the prayers of Thy all-powerful intercession. Deliver us from the wiles of the Serpent of old, and break his hold on nations and individuals in our time. Lead us to Thy Son as the Divine Ladder, the flaming Bush unconsumed by fire
and the Ark of the New Covenant. Most Holy Mother of God intercede for us and save
us by Thy prayers. Amen.

[samiam1972]

We made sweet and spicy black beans(I could have eaten the entire pan of these myself), Carne Asada which had a very tangy taste, spanish rice, refried beans and then churros for dessert. I will never make those(churros) things again. The house will smell like hot oil for days. Ugh! The kids loved everything so I guess it was worth it. We have so many leftovers. We’ll be eating it for days! It’s been a wonderful feast day.

[Salvation]

Sounds yummy.

[wagglebee]

The two of you are always making all this good food and you NEVER send any of it to me!

[BykrBayb]

I hardly do any cooking these days. Tonight I made a chilled pasta salad, some salmon salad on rice crackers, and chocolate chip cookies (from a tub of ready-made dough even). That’s the most cooking I’ve done in a couple months. The only thing I cooked for Thanksgiving was the stuffing, and even that wasn’t up to my usual standards (too much broth), but I served it anyway.

Tomorrow I’m making cheese cake, just for my good FRiend Wagglebee. Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

[wagglebee]

Yeah, yeah tomorrow!

[BykrBayb]

; )

[trisham]

We had fish tacos at a local Mexican restaurant today. A picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe was prominently displayed in the foyer.

[samiam1972]

If you move to Missouri, I’ll cook for you!

We had pizza take-out tonight. There was no way I was cooking after last night! The house still stinks.

[wagglebee]

If you move to Missouri,

NOT happening!

[samiam1972]

I know! That’s why I offered. I knew you’d never do it. :0)

[wagglebee]

So, your offer to cook for me was totally insincere? :-(