We Share Mary’s Hope And Joy
Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (Lk 1:46-47)
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On this day, we remember when Mary appeared to Juan Diego near Tepayac Hill in Central Mexico. She greeted Juan Diego and asked him to go to the local bishop, telling the bishop that she desired that a church be built at the spot of her appearance so that the people would have a place to come and experience her compassion. “All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother’s Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace.”
Juan Diego did what Mary asked. The bishop took him for a simpleton and demanded a sign. Mary instructed Juan Diego to fill his tilma (cloak) with flowers cut at the top of the hill and take them to no one else but the bishop. When Juan Diego told the story to the bishop and emptied his cloak of the roses he had cut, there was an image of Mary on his tilma. The bishop believed and, eventually, a church was built.
Mary has often visited God’s people. Her message has always been a message of peace and comfort. Her message has also been one pointing the way to her Son, Jesus.
This day, let us remember the promise given to us by Jesus. Let us continue to prepare the way for Him throughout the Advent season. And let us be thankful for the gift He has given to us of His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
May we, like her, always strive to be faithful servants.
FAITH ACTION: Pray the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary and reflect upon God’s promise to Mary and to you.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God our Heavenly Father, Creator through whom we live,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, the One who owns what is near and beyond,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy of us.
Holy Mary of Guadalupe,
pray for us. (Use this response throughout the litany)
Holy Mary, Mother of America,
Holy Mary, Star of the New Evangelization,
Holy Mary, Perfect and Ever Virgin,
Holy Mary, Mother of the True God,
Holy Mary, Mother worthy of honor and veneration,
Holy Mary, Mother most merciful,
Holy Mary, Mother of those who love you and have confidence in you,
Holy Mary, Mother of those who cry to you and search for you,
Holy Mary, Mother who cures all our pains, miseries, and sorrows,
Holy Mary, Mother who remedies and alleviates our sufferings,
Holy Mary, Mother who keeps us within her compassionate and merciful gaze,
Holy Mary, Mother who shows us her help, love and compassion,
Holy Mary, Mother who chooses those who are humble and simple,
Holy Mary, Mother who graciously repays all who serve her,
Holy Mary, Mother who has us under her shadow and protection,
Holy Mary, Mother who carries us in her embrace,
Holy Mary, Fountain of our joy,
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.Let Us Pray
Almighty and Eternal God, your message of mercy, entrusted to Our Lady of Guadalupe, invites all your children to place all their trust in you. Through the intercession of the mother of your Son, may your message of Merciful Love inflame our hearts that we may be faithful heralds and instruments of this Divine Mercy to the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.