Am I Not Here, Who Am Your Mother?

Dear Parish Family,

Happy New year! It is the most wonderful time of the year… Advent; joyfully anticipating the Birth of Jesus. 
With the difficult weeks, many of our brothers and sisters have endured it is important to remember to keep our eyes focus on our Lord. I want to share with you one of our many beautiful Catholic traditions and gifts and encourage you this Advent season to pray with our Mother Mary; she too is our Advent wreath leading us to her son, Jesus.

​Through our history, we have been sent many messengers; The angels, the prophets and apostles, and the saints. All echo the same Good News, Jesus is the Truth, the Light, and the Way. Our Mother Mary is our most recent messenger sent from heaven. She takes on the likeness of those who she speaks to, making sure we recognize the message is meant for us. Through Mary we reach Jesus, through Jesus, we reach the Father. This month we have two feast days in her honor, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Mary is conceived without sin), and on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Her message in all her apparitions throughout the world is never about her, she always points to her Son.  When the bishop asked for a sign, St. Juan Diego presented him with his 'tilma'. It was filled with Castilian roses. When St. Juan Diego opens his 'tilma' to expose the roses, they all saw the image of Santa Maria de Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted on it. It was left on a native fiber, meant only to last 30 years at most; however, it has been hundreds of years and the image is still perfectly intact. This is only the first of many miracles. Her image and words have spoken so clearly to all generations, she has aided in the conversion of millions.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is huge for the Mexican people, not only for having the honor of having Our Mother appear in Mexico but to have been given the privilege to have her image left for us to visit. Her story and her message have earned her the title of Patroness of the Americas (North & South). Her message in all her apparitions throughout the world is never about her, she always points to her Son. The Celebration consists of a novena from December 4 to December 12, every day we retell her story and are reminded of her intentions, to bring us to her son, Jesus:

The Mother of God appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, requesting a church be built:
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“My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace.”

When the bishop Fry Juan de Zumarraga asked for a sign, Juan Diego presented him with his Tilma which was filled with Castilian roses, previously unknown to the region and mysteriously blooming in winter. When St. Juan Diego opens his tilma to expose the roses, they all saw the image of Santa Maria de Guadalupe, was miraculously imprinted on it. Her image speaks loudly and clearly as her words. These are symbols that spoke clearly to the Aztecs and aid the conversion of millions. Some of the symbols are:
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1. Sun behind her and moon at her feet: she is greater than their moon or sun god, their greatest deities.
2. Angel at her feet: for the Aztecs, only royalty was carried on the shoulders; the wings depict the union of Heaven and Earth
3. Her Face: her complexion, dark hair, and eyes reflecting the likeness of the Aztecs. Her eyes cast down to reflect humility and compassion.
4. Her Hands: together in prayer yet, leaving a small gap between them symbolizing a gift that is given.
5. Her Mantle: the color of royalty to the Aztecs.
6. Stars on her mantle: she comes from heaven; they are accurately placed stars to match the constellations at the time of her apparition.
7. Flower Nahui Ollin: in Nahuatl (native language) representing the presence of God
8. Risen knee: for the indigenous prayer and praise were done through songs and dance
9. Belt: sign that she is with child
10. Gold encircled cross brooch: symbols of sanctity and Christian faith

All this left on a native fiber, meant only to last 30 years at most; however, it has been hundreds of years and the image is still intact. This is only the first of many miracles. Her image and words have spoken so clearly to all generations, she has aid in the conversion of millions.

“Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you.
Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also, do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.
Am I not here, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?
Is there anything else that you need?”

Our Lady of Guadalupe’s motherly love for us is palpable. What a better advocate for us, than someone who understands all our struggles perfectly. Come to her, pray with her, especially in your times of need. She will help us clear the path and take our petitions to her loving son. Let us confidently journey our advent season in hope, joy, and love.

Siempre Adelante,
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Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister

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