"December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas"
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of North America
On December 9, 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, who was hurrying to Mass, on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City. She told Juan to ask his bishop to build a church in the place where she appeared. The bishop was hesitant, and told Juan to ask for a sign. When Juan next saw Our Lady, on December 12, she told him to go to the rocks and gather roses, even though it was not the time or place for roses. Juan obeyed, gathered the roses into his long cloak, and returned to the Virgin Mary who rearranged them and told him not to touch or look at them again until showing the bishop. As he unfolded his cloak when meeting with the bishop, the roses fell out. Juan was startled to see the bishop and his attendants kneeling before him, so he looked at the cloak and saw a figure of the Virgin Mary as he had described her to the bishop initially. The cloak was venerated in the bishop's chapel and used in procession to the first church dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Guadalupe was the name of the picture itself, but it has been extended to the church as the town that grew around the church. The picture is a representation of the Immaculate Conception, with the sun, moon, and stars, according to the text in the Book of Revelation. In 1709 a beautiful shrine was erected near Mexico City, and it was made a basilica in 1904. Pilgrimages have been made to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe almost without interruption since 1531. Juan Diego's cloak that bears the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which should have deteriorated within 20 years, still shows no signs of decay almost 480 years later.
The apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the only recorded appearance, recognized by the Church, of the Blessed Mother in North America. Pope Piux XII proclaimed her Patroness of the Americas, and said “We are certain that so long as you – Our Lady of Guadalupe – are recognized as Queen and Mother, America and Mexico are saved.” In 1846 the United States was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, which is represented in the picture of Guadalupe. Today, the Basilica of Our Lady in Mexico City is the most popular pilgrimage site for Catholics in the entire world.
- adapted from Favorite Novenas to Mary
Aquinas and More has the perfect Christmas gift for the coffee lovers in your life:
Our coffee gift sets match the wonderful flavors of Mystic Monk Coffee with some of our beautiful mugs. In addition to this Morning set, we also offer the Wake up in Umbria Gift Set, the Powerful and Robust Blend Gift Set, and the Peaceful Afternoon Decaf Gift Set. Save money by buying the coffee and mug as a set! View all four sets here.
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Author: Fr. Miguel Guadalupe
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Author: Dr. Warren H. Carroll
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Author: Barbara Calamari, Sandra DiPasqua
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Author: Dr. Robin Ruggles
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18K gold-plate on sterling silver
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Silver-colored rosary
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Gold-plated, 3 1/8in long
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Wooden easle plaque
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Find more Our Lady of Guadalupe items here
We are now carrying a new animated DVD series for children, the My Catholic Family series.
My Catholic Family - St. Therese of Lisieux
This series is great to help children in their faith formation, and includes episodes on St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Margaret Mary, St. Benedict, St. Padre Pio, St. Faustina, St. John Vianney, and St. Catherine of Siena. View them all here. They would make great Christmas gifts for the young Catholics you know!
This series is great to help children in their faith formation, and includes episodes on St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Margaret Mary, St. Benedict, St. Padre Pio, St. Faustina, St. John Vianney, and St. Catherine of Siena. View them all here. They would make great Christmas gifts for the young Catholics you know!
Our CD recommendation this week is a beautiful rendition of the entire rosary with all four Mysteries:
The two-CD set "Through Her Eyes" offers Scriptural meditations with beautiful musical scores to enhance the experience of the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord, as well as songs written and produced by Mark Mallett, who also speaks the Hail Mary prayers along with Fr. Ray Guimond. This CD is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of North America, and includes her words to St. Juan Diego at the end of each Mystery.
Mary and the Church
“All generations will call me blessed”:
“The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs.... This very special devotion...differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
“The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs.... This very special devotion...differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission, and destiny, we can find no better way to conclude than by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her mystery on her own “pilgrimage of faith,” and what she will be in the homeland at the end of her journey. There, “in the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity,” “in the communion of all the saints,” the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother.
In the meantime the Mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise she shines forth on earth until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 971-972
Don't forget about our extensive selection of patron saint medals, where you're sure to find a medal for anyone on your Christmas list - or, if you find one you would like, put it on your wish list and let everyone know about it!
Advent and Christmas items
 Only $9.95
Author: Anthony Chiffolo, editor
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 Only $64.95
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 Only $16.98
Norbertine Fathers at St. Michael's Abbey
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 Only $8.00
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The soft cover version of Pope Benedict XVI's book Jesus of Nazareth is now available, along with a helpful study guide to make the book more accessible for those without much formal theological or biblical training.
These and other books written by Pope Benedict can be found in our Pope Benedict XVI Books section.
Let Us Pray
Prayer of Pope John Paul II to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of Peace! Save the nations and
peoples of this continent. Teach everyone, political leaders
and citizens, to live in true freedom and to act according to the
requirements of justice and respect for human rights, so that
peace may thus be established once and for all.
To you, O Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
belong all the love, honor, glory, and endless praise of your
American sons and daughters!
Amen.
(Prayed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City, January 23, 1999)
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Does anyone know where I can find the words and music to the song,
“On This Day Oh! Beautiful Mother”?
If you have it, I would appreciate it very much if you would e-mail it to me.
Thank y ou.
R