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Many masses will be held throughout the world on Dec. 12th  dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe or el dia de La Virgen.  This will be happening in many communities throughout the United States and Mexico.  Actually just after midnight at the start of Dec. 12th, the celebrations will already have started in the Basilica of Guadalupe located in Mexico City (usually carried live on Univision television).

On Dec. 12, 1531 the Virgin Mary appeared to an Indian named Juan Diego for the second time asking him to go to the local Catholic Bishop, requesting that a religious site be prepared at the present location of the basilica.  Both times she appeared as an Indian in dress and physical features. 

Juan Diego was clearly frightened, but did as the Lady had requested when he appeared at the Bishops door with his cloak filled with flowers.  The Bishop had asked for a sign, and when the cloak was opened he was convinced by the brilliance of the flowers.  Today the cloak of Juan Diego is still visible in the basilica and has been studied for many years.  It still has the imprint of the flowers.

The words she spoke to Juan Diego “Let not your heart be disturbed.  Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish.  Am I not here, who am 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. “ In 1531 when La Virgen appeared, the United States did not exist.  She was known as the Queen of Mexico but as she is more recognized, she is now known as the Queen of the Americas.

From the website www.sancta.org “The Basilica as well as other chapels in the sanctuary are the center of fervent religious activity, around the clock: - at least 30 masses are celebrated every day of the year – hundreds of baptisms are celebrated every week, as well as holy matrimonies, first communications and confirmations celebrated.” 

The Basilica of Guadalupe is only second to the Vatican, as the most visited Catholic religious site in the world.

When I was 13 years of age we had a shrine dedicated to La Virgen de Guadalupe in our home.  We then lived in a house at 234 North 7th Street, next to the Kroger’s Store.  Mi Madre prayed everyday to Our Lady with the lighted candle always present.  I remember her soft voice as she prayed in Spanish. 

One evening I asked her “Who do you pray for?”  She replied “Usted!”  That reply caught my attention quickly… I didn’t ask her why.  I did feel a bit of fear.  Why did mi madre feel that she needed to pray for me?  I was 13 years of age then, and did not realize that I would need those prayers later in my life.

The Basilica in Mexico City was a place where many Mexican Americans soldiers of World War II, Korea and Vietnam would make a pilgrimage.  During these stressful years, they would promise to La Virgen that they would make the trip to pray and thank her for their safe return back to their hometowns.  At the Basilica they would mix with the indigenous Indian people of the area and people from around the world.

Journalist, Tony Castro of the Los Angeles Daily News has written about his friend Lawyer, Alex Jacinto who is very much devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Jacinto possesses a life-size digital copy of Our Lady which he keeps in his office.  Several days a week he delivers the painting to various sites to be exhibited. 

He has special equipment to transport the photo which also fits perfectly in his vehicle.  He also is active in various Latino activities. 

He comments “Ethnically, I am Mexican American, politically I am Chicano.  And today I am Guadalupano .”  A Guadalupano is a person of the church’s society dedicated to promoting and bringing awareness to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Castro comments in an article “When he was 10 years old and visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Alex Jacinto was struck by a sight that stayed with him the rest of his life.  An old Indian Woman crawled on her knees the length of the holiest shrine in the country to visit the image encased beyond the altar. 

I looked at this poor woman saw that she was completely enwrapped in prayer and I thought, ‘this poor old woman doesn’t have an education, doesn’t have anything, but she has something I don’t have.  She has faith.”  On December 12th, Jacinto will be among the countless people kneeling in prayer for blessings and hope. 

Rudy Padilla can be contacted at opkansas@swbell.net.