Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness
of the Americas and of the Right to Life Movement. When Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego, Mexico
was one of the most depraved cultures in human history. The number of human sacrifices by the Aztec
culture is virtually incalculable.
Yet, Mary came bearing the message of
her Son and a message of life. Mary to Juan Diego said: “My
dearest son, I am the eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, Author of
Life, Creator of all and Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth...and it is my
desire that a church be built here in this place for me, where, as your most
merciful Mother and that of all your people, I may show my loving clemency and
the compassion that I bear to the Indians, and to those who love and seek
me...”
A Church was built. The Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City is
the most popular pilgrimage site in North America, and
second in the world only to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
What was then an almost entirely pagan
culture almost entirely converted to Christ.
According to a contemporary
chronicler, nine million Aztecs became Catholic in a very short time. It is only in recent decades that the faith
in Mexico has begun to revert, as the culture of death, which is so prevalent
in our culture, attempts to regain its lost territory.
Our Lady of Guadalupe shows herself to be a lover of humanity and
a lover of life. She is depicted with a
ribbon around her waist, indicating that she is with child. She is also depicted standing on a moon. The Aztecs, along with worshiping the sun, worshiped the moon. History shows that
cultures which worshiped the moon are very depraved. And so Mary, standing on the moon, as if
crushing it, points to the victory of Jesus Christ over the powers of
death.
This is an important Advent feast, to remind us that we prepare
during Advent to celebrate the birth of Christ the Savior, victor over the
powers of sins and death.
Saint John Paul II, his great Marian Document, Redemptoris Mater,
writes: For Mary, present in the Church
as the Mother of the Redeemer, takes part, as a mother, in that monumental
struggle; against the powers of darkness" which continues throughout human
history.
And so throughout Advent we do well to invoke Our Lady in our
prayers for the conversion of our culture which is well on its way to a total
collapse into sin and depravity.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of
the promises of Christ.
Additionally, the Bishops have asked that today we offer special
prayers for migrants and refugees, and so the we will remember this intention
in our petitions this morning.
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That the Church, like the Virgin Mary, may bring Christ into the
world with joy, and be
joined with him in endless life
Through the Intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we pray that
all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human
life, and that all people of our nation may work together for and end to the
culture of death.
For all mothers, that they may find in Mary
the example and strength to carry out their
Vocation.
For migrant workers, that they may labor in
safe and just conditions, we pray to the Lord.
For all refugees who are forced to flee from
their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin.
That the sick may draw strength, consolation,
and healing by turning to Our Lady, who
intercedes for us from her place in heaven.
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