The Devotion of Saint Aloysius: A Model of Piety and Service
Follow the Star of the New Evangelization
Our Lady of Guadalupe Adoring Jesus
In 1531, “ the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth” came to an isolated Mexican hill, Tepeyac. “The mezquites, nopales, and other different weeds, which grow there, appeared like emeralds, their foliage like turquoise, and their branches and thorns glistened like gold”. She came as the “merciful mother” to Juan Diego, a Nahuatl indian who was among the first to be baptized by Franciscan missionaries in Mexico in the early 16th century, and she came “to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows”. She came bearing the life of our salvation in her womb as signified by the knotted black sash around her waist which was a symbol of pregnancy in Nahuatl culture.
St. Pope John Paul II said in 1999 that “the Most Blessed Virgin is linked in a special way to the birth of the Church in the history ... of the peoples of America; through Mary they came to encounter the Lord” and he referred to her as the Star of the New Evangelization.
The Mother of the True God said to Juan Diego and continues to speak to us in our troubling conflicted times:
“Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”
October 22, 1978 in the HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II FOR THE INAUGURATION OF HIS PONTIFICATE, St. Pope John Paul II expounded on Our Lady’s words:
“Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. …Do not be afraid. Christ knows ‘what is in man’. He alone knows it.
So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.”
With confidence we fly unto thee, oh Virgin of virgins, Our Mother.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, turn your eyes of mercy towards us, and Saint John Paul II, pray for us that we may continue to be a tool for new evangelization!
With heartfelt gratitude, we at Catholic365.com, we wish every blessing for our authors and readers during this Holy Christmas season and new year!!
References
http://www.sancta.org/nican.html
Our Lady of Guadalupe - the Star of the New Evangelization, By Bishop James D. Conley http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column.php?n=3066
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