Marian Feast: Our Lady of Guadalupe By: Cristian Baldomero, Anthony Ciardullo, and Kevin Muller

Description Feast day: December 12 Mary brought Christian hope to people who were poor in Mexico Juan Diego was an adult convert who had recently been baptized Mary appeared to him on December 9, 1531 Asked him to build a church where she appeared Bishop refused to allow church to be built, unless they were given a sign from heaven Mary miraculously healed his uncle, who was hours from dying Mary than asked him to gather some out of season flowers, which would never grow during the winter When he brought them back to the Bishop, he dumped the flowers on the floor, and on his tilma a picture of Mary was imprinted This convinced the Bishop that the apparition had happen On December 9, 1531

Apparition On December 9, 1531 Juan Diego saw an apparition of a young girl at the hill of Tepeyac, which is close the Mexico City. She spoke to him in Nahuatl, a language native to that area. She appeared on a site that used to be the location of a Pagan temple She asked him to build a church on the spot that he appeared He obeyed and went off to find the Bishop to ask permission to build the church

Significance to the Church First appearance of Mary in the Americas She is the Patron of the Americas She promoted Christianity among the Native Americans If it weren’t for her, Christianity would have never spread among the Native Americans

Prayer/Devotion Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of unborn children, we implore your intercession for every child at risk of abortion. Help expectant parents to welcome from God the priceless gift of their child’s life. Console parents who have lost that gift through abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing through the Divine Mercy of your Son. Teach us to cherish and to care for family and friends until God calls them home. Help us never to see others as burdens. Guide our public officials to defend each and every human life through just laws. Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life, to speak for those who have no voice. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.

The end

Bibliography hphttp:// hp worship/prayers/a-prayer-to-our-lady-of- guadalupe.cfmhttp:// worship/prayers/a-prayer-to-our-lady-of- guadalupe.cfm