"Quien Es Esa Estrella?"

I have a friend who is recording his trip through Mexico and Central/South America. This is a picture of his taken at the Bascilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. You can see more of his trip at www.dougsmotorcyclediary.com. He's very funny (and he doesn't yet know I've stolen this picture.)
A close up of the face of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

So, here's the deal about today. Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Dec. 12 - and I, personally, have a huge devotion to OL of G, so today's post is her story. I'm warning you ahead of time so that if this isn't your thing, you can not read on. It is a pretty cool story, and as the the above picture shows, anyone can go and see the image because it's still around.

The short version of the story & a little editorializing by me:

When the Virgin Mary first appeared to St. Juan Diego, she told him to go to the bishop and ask that a church be built in her honor on the hill of Tepeyac where the people could bring her their pains, anxieties, sickness--all their problems. And she would listen because she is their mother. But Juan Diego protested, "Niña mia, la más pequeña, my littlest daughter" (it was an affectionate and respectful greeting) "I am not the right person. Send someone more worthy, better educated, someone younger." Juan Diego was a 57 years old widower when the Virgin appeared to him.

She said patiently, "I have many children and many messengers--but I have chosen you. You are my littlest son. I want you to go." Juan was still reluctant, "I cannot go, my uncle is sick and must take care of him." The Virgin smiled and said, "Am I not your mother?"

The Virgin showed her motherly love. She appeared to his uncle Juan Bernardino, healing him. Finally in her third appearance to Juan Diego, she gave him the sign: Castillan roses blooming in the cold of December. Juan gathered some in his cloak, the Virgin helped him arrange them, then he ran to the bishop. He told bishop Zumarraga, "I have the sign you asked for."

When he let the roses fall, the bishop and his assistants dropped to their knees. It wasn't just their amazement at seeing the Castillan roses, but something more. On Juan Diego's cloak appeared the image which, 472 years later, you can still see in the basilica of Guadalupe.

This image of our Lady is the Gospel in picture form. She is, as Revelations 12 describes, "a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon at her feet." Those who saw it realized immediately she is greater than the sun, moon, stars which they had worshipped as gods. For people today in what is called the "New Age" she is also a sign not to worship the "forces" of nature.

But she herself is not a goddess. She has her hands folded in prayer, her eyes looking down in humility. To whom is she praying? The clue is in the brooch under her neck. It has a small cross. But she is not only praying to God, she has God inside her. the black band under her hands symbolizes pregnancy. Our Lady of Guadalupe is bringing Jesus within her to the peoples of the Americas.

Because she is with child, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the pro-life movement. She is the protector of unborn children--and of their mothers, especially those who are facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy. Women who have undergone an abortion can turn to Mary.

You can see the compassion in the face of the Blessed Virgin. Many have commented on that beautiful face, noting the dark hues of her complexion. It has been suggested that Mary appeared to Juan Diego as an Indian woman. That could be, but there is another possible explanation. Mary, of course, was a Hebrew woman and probably herself had black hair and dark skin. Perhaps what we have here is how Mary actually looked when she walked this earth - when was pregnant with Jesus.

Scientists cannot explain how this image was imprinted on the tilma (what the "poncho-like" apron is called) nor how it has lasted for almost five centuries - so bright that it seems like it was given to us yesterday. Scientific studies have found it to be imprinted within the fabric - almost as if a nuclear explosion burned the image into the tilma. So many have said that when they first saw the image of our Lady of Guadalupe it gave the impression of being alive, that it bears the presence of a person. This corresponds to the Greek Orthodox understanding of an icon. It not only represents Jesus or the saint, but in some mysterious sense contains the presence of the saint.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is such an icon. It doesn't just represent Mary; for her children it conveys her maternal presence. That can be appreciated especially in her eyes. When the NASA scientists and others were doing their investigation, they took pictures of the eyes and magnified them many times. They were amazed to see the reflection of a man in her eye. Most believe that it is Juan Diego, the "littlest of her sons" whom she is looking at with such love. It is a look of pure love and affection.

Today's feast is an opportunity for us to draw near our Blessed Mother. She knows our anxieties and pains. She wants to give us the greatest gift of all, her own son, Jesus.