1. After the apparitions in 1531 within about 30 years, close to 8 million Mexicans were converted to Catholicism; the greatest mass-conversion in the history of the world. It was a perpetual "Pentecost" for 30 years!
2. IMAGE/PAINTING OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE. Still after 480 years, the image impressed on cactus fibre still exists. Usually, it would disentegrate in 20-30 years!
3. VISITATION! After the Basilica of St. Peter, in Rome, where some of the Popes are buried (Pope John Paul II) and even the remains of St. Peter, the first Pope, the second most visited church in the world is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
4. BLACK RIBBON. Symbolic of a pregnant woman. Mary was carrying within her womb Jesus, the Way, Truth, and LIFE of the world. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the "Pro-Life" Virgin, often used in Pro-life rallies and marches and protests in front of abortion clinics. Mary teaches us to say "Yes" to human life which is precious, from the moment of conception until natural death.
5. SUPERNATURAL LIFE. She asked for the church. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head of the church and we are the members of His body; Mary, for her part, is the neck that connects the Head to the other members.
6. HEALING. A mother is concerned about the bodily health of her child. Mary is even more concerned about the spiritual health of her children. Therefore, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, there are non-stop confessions. For that reason, Pope John Paul II called Marian Sanctuaries, "Spiritual clinics".
7. NOURISHMENT. That which most exults the heart of Mary is to see her children in church, participating in Mass and receiving Holy Communion with reverence and devotion. Christmas can be every day because Jesus is born in the moment of consecration and also in the moment of reception of Holy Communion. Your own heart becomes a little Bethehem, which by the way means, "House of Bread".
8. PATRON OF THE AMERICAS. The Immaculate Conception is the title of the Patroness of the United States. However, Our Lady of Guadalupe, is the Patron of all of the Americas! She is the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and the Mother of all of us individually!
9. SAINT JUAN DIEGO! How patient this man! It took more than 400 years for him to be canonized. It happened on the Feast day of St Ignatius Loyola (July 31), 2002. His feast day is December 9, which was the first day of the Apparitions!
10. TRUST IN MARY: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE. Juan Diego was overwhelmed with a serious problem--- the imminent death of his elderly uncle, Juan Bernardino. So much was his concern, that he tried to avoid our Lady. But she cut him off! Her consoling words to Juan Diego are for you and me. "Do not be afraid! Am I not your mother? I have you in the very crossing of my arms!" In your problems, run to Mary, cast your problems in the Heart of Mary, trust Mary. She will never abandon you. Your best refuges are two: the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May they be your haven, security, oasis, and peace in time and and in eterntiy! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Posted by Fr. Ed Broom,