Introduction

The Forty-six Stars devotion is a tradition based on the number of stars on the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Over the years, devout people have found it helpful to dedicate themselves to the prayer of the Holy Rosary during the forty-six days leading up to the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12th. There is a custom of naming each of the stars according to various qualities of Our Lady and the powerful events of her apparitions to St. Juan Diego.

You are invited to use the daily thoughts, combined with your meditation on the Mysteries of the Rosary, to allow your love for Our Lord and Our Lady to grow. Please keep in mind and heart the many needs of our parish, our Diocese, and our troubled world. Have confidence that each person’s efforts will be welcomed by God and will bear good fruit for the good of all.
This is a personal prayer commitment, and we encourage you to invite your family and friends to join!
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Day 1 • October 27

Marvelous

As we begin these 46 days of prayer we can imitate Our Lady who said “the Lord has done great things for me.” We live each day within the blessing of God’s saving work. May our focus on the events of Our Lady’s appearances to St. Juan Diego renew our understanding and gratitude for the marvelous gifts God continues to share with us.

“Here is told and set down in order how a short time ago the Perfect Virgin Holy Mary Mother of God, our Queen, miraculously appeared out at Tepeyac, widely known as Guadalupe. First she caused herself to be seen by an Indian named Juan Diego, poor but worthy of respect; and then her Precious Image appeared before the recently named Bishop, Don Fray Juan de Zumárraga.

Ten years after the City of Mexico was conquered, with the arrows and shields put aside, when there was peace in all the towns, just as it sprouted, faith now grows green, now opens its corolla, the knowledge of the One by whom we all live: the true God.

At that time, the year 1531, a few days into the month of December, it happened that there was a humble but respected Indian, a poor man of the people; his name was Juan Diego; He lived in Cuauhtitlán, as they say.
And in all the things of God, he belonged to Tlaltelolco.”

Day 2 • October 28

Joyful

The joy of Mary, our Mother, comes from the presence of Jesus in her life and from His saving work in the world. She said “my soul rejoices in God, my Savior.” Help us, Mary, to find the presence of Christ in the Sacraments of the Church and in our world—and to give a joyful response.

It was Saturday, not yet dawn; he was coming in pursuit of God and his commandments. And as he drew near the little hill called Tepeyac, it was beginning to dawn. He heard singing on the little hill, like the song of many precious birds; when their voices would stop, it was as if the hill were answering them; extremely soft and delightful, their songs exceeded the songs of the coyoltotl and the tzinitzcan and other precious birds.

Day 3 •  October 29

Bella

St. Juan Diego’s encounter with Our Blessed Mother impressed him greatly. Mary appeared with a radiant beauty, surrounded by light and birds singing. Our attentive prayer to honor the apparitions will help us find the beauty God brings to our world and to know that all that is good comes from Him.

Juan Diego stopped to look. He said to himself: “By any chance am I worthy, have I deserved what I hear? Perhaps I am only dreaming it? Perhaps I’m only dozing? Where am I? Where do I find myself? Is it possible that I am in the place our ancient ancestors, our grandparents, told about, in the land of the flowers, in the land of corn, of our flesh, of our sustenance, possible in the land of heaven?” He was looking up toward the top of the hill, toward the direction the sun rises from, toward where the precious heavenly song was coming from.

Day 4 • October 30

Ever Virgin

Mary identified herself to St. Juan Diego during the course of the apparitions. Even before that, he knew who she was. His own study of doctrine prepared him for the special privilege of seeing Our Lady in person. The profound blessing of her perpetual virginity added to the power of the encounter and to the meaning of her visit. We invite Our Lady to bring all of her gifts into our lives.

And then when the singing suddenly stopped, when it could no longer be heard, he heard someone calling him, from the top of the hill, someone was saying to him: “Juan, dearest Juan Diego.” Then he dared to go to where the voice was coming from. His heart was not disturbed and he felt extremely happy and content. He started to climb to the top of the little hill to see where they were calling him from. And when he reached the top of the hill, a Maiden who was standing there spoke to him, She called to him to come close to her.

Day 5 • October 31

Evangelist

Mary was sent by God to bring a special message at a critical time in the history of the Church in the Americas. Her role is to bring people to Jesus. The docility of St. Juan Diego teaches us to be responsive to the part we play in sharing the truths of our Faith with others.

And when he reached where she was, he was filled with admiration for the way her perfect grandeur exceeded all imagination: Her clothing was shining like the sun, as if it were sending out waves of light, and the stone, the crag on which she stood, seemed to be giving out rays. Her radiance was like precious stones, it seemed like an exquisite bracelet (it seemed beautiful beyond anything else); the earth seemed to shine with the brilliance of a rainbow in the mist. And the mesquites and cactus and the other little plants that are generally there seemed like emeralds. Their leaves seemed like turquoise. And their trunks, their thorns, and their prickles were shining like gold.

Day 6 • November 1

Compassionate

There is always a fruitfulness possible when we meditate on the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Today, consider the compassion they have in inviting us to share in the mercy of God. Try to find the areas of your life in which you could be more compassionate, like Mary, like Jesus.

He prostrated himself on her presence. He listened to her voice [her breath], her words, which gave great, great glory, which were extremely kind, as if from someone who was drawing him toward her and esteemed him highly.

She said to him, “Listen, my dearest and youngest son, Juan. Where are you going?”

And he answered her: “My Lady, my Queen, my little girl, I am going as far as your little house in Mexico-Tlatelolco, to follow the things of God that are given to us, that are taught to us by the ones who are the images of Our Lord: our priests.”

Then she talks with him, she reveals her precious will; Then she says to him: “Know, know for sure, my dearest and youngest son, that I am the perfect ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the one great God of truth who gives us life, the Inventor and Creator of people. The Owner and Lord of what is around us and what is touching us or very close to us, the Owner and Lord of the sky, the Owner of the earth. I want very much that they build my sacred little house here, in which I will give Him to the people in all my personal love, Him who is my compassionate gaze, Him who is my help, Him who is my salvation.”

Day 7 • November 2

Our Mother

The power of a mother’s love is almost limitless. May Our Mother’s love bring to us the power of Her Son’s love. Ask Mary to be your Mother, the mother of your soul. Give her freedom to remake and restore in you the image of Jesus.

Because I am truly your compassionate mother, yours and all of the people who live together in this land, and all of the other people of different ancestries, those who love me, those who cry to me, those who seek me, those who trust in me, because there I will listen to their weeping, their sadness, to remedy, to cleanse and nurse all their different troubles, their miseries, their suffering.

And to bring about what my compassionate and merciful gaze is trying to do, go to the residence of the bishop of Mexico, and you will tell him how I am sending you, so that you may reveal to him that I very much want him to build me a house here, to erect my temple for me on the plain; you will tell him everything, all that you have seen and marveled at, and what you have heard.

Day 8 • November 3

Our Lady

St. Juan Diego readily recognized the noble qualities of Mary in her appearances to him. In our prayer today, we can ask for a new understanding of all that this great Lady, Our Lady, might accomplish in us and through us.

“And know for sure that I will appreciate it very much and reward it, that because of it I will enrich you, I will glorify you; and because of it you will deserve very much the way that I reward your fatigue, your service in going to request the matter that I am sending you for. Now, my dearest son, you have heard my breath, my word: go, do what you are responsible for.”

And immediately he prostrated himself in her presence; he said to her: “My Lady, my little girl, now I am going to make your venerable breath, your venerable word, a reality; I, your humble servant, am leaving you for a while.”

Day 9 • November 4

Messenger

There is a special trust placed in one who carries a message for someone else. We think of the value of the message Gabriel brought to Mary. It was a message sent by God Himself. Mary, once she said “yes”, was ever thereafter a great messenger of salvation. She brings the same message to St. Juan Diego. He, in turn, becomes her messenger. Are we bearing the same holy message by our words and deeds?

Then he came down (the hill) to put her errand into action: he came to get onto the causeway, he comes straight to Mexico City. When he reached the center of the city, he went straight to the palace of the Bishop, the Governing Priest, who had just recently arrived; his name was Don Fray Juan de Zumárraga, a Franciscan Priest.

And as soon as he got there, he then tries to see him, he begs his servants, his helpers, to go and tell him he needs to see him; after a long time, when the Reverend Bishop ordered that he enter, they came to call him; and as soon as he entered, first he knelt before him, he prostrated himself, then he reveals to him, he tells him the precious breath, the precious word of the Queen of Heaven, her message, and he also tells him everything that made his marvel, what he saw, what he heard.

Day 10 • November 5

Patient

St. Juan Diego was ready, immediately and without hesitation, to bring Our Lady’s message to the Archbishop. He was also saddened that he did not find instant success. He thought that his eager trust in the holy Lady would surely be found in the Archbishop, that Her request would be granted. As the story unfolds he will learn a more patient way.

And having heard his whole story, his message, as if he didn’t particularly believe it to be true, he answered him, he said to him: “My son, you will come again. I will still hear you calmly, I will look at it carefully from the very beginning, I will consider the reason why your have come, your will, your desire.”

He left; he came out sad, because the errand entrusted to him was not immediately accepted. Then he returned, at the end of the day, then he came straight from there to the top of the little hill,
and he had the joy of meeting the Queen of Heaven: there exactly where she had appeared to him the fist time, she was waiting for him.

Day 11 • November 6

Humble

Our Lady, preserved from all stain of sin in her life was perfect in every virtue. She knew exactly how she stood in relation to God and she was and His closer to Him than anyone else. The humility of St. Juan Diego shows in both his reverence for Mary’s holiness and in his warm affection and closeness to her right away. Humility offers us so much more than pride can.

As soon as he saw her, he prostrated himself before her, he threw himself to the ground, he said to her: “My dear little Mistress, Lady Queen, my littlest Daughter, my dear little Girl. I did go to where you sent me to carry out your dear breath, your dear word; although I entered with difficulty to where the place is of the Governing Priest, I saw him, I put your breath, your word, before him, as you ordered me to. He received me kindly and he listened to it perfectly, but from the way he answered me, it’s as if he didn’t understand it, he doesn’t think it’s true.”

He said to me: “You will come again: I will still listen to you calmly, I will look well to what you have come for, from the very beginning, to your desire, your will.”

Day 12 • November 7

Promoter

The greatness of the message of salvation, the invitation can seem too big for us. We can feel unworthy. In a way we always are. It remains true, since our Baptism, that we are called and given what we need to promote in countless ways the Kingdom of God, imitating all the while Our Lady and Our Lord—and St. Juan Diego.

“The way he answered me, I could clearly see that he thinks your house that you want them to build for you here, maybe I’m only making it up, or that maybe it is not from your lips.

I beg you, my Lady, Queen, my little girl, to have one of the nobles who are held in esteem, one who is known, respected, honored, (have him) carry, take your dear breath, your dear word, so that he will be believed.

Because I am really (just) a man from the country, I am a (porter’s) rope I am a backframe, a tail, a wing, a man of no importance: I myself need to be led, carried on someone’s back, that place you are sending me to is a place where I’m not used to going to or spending any time in, my little Virgin, my Youngest Daughter, my Lady, Little girl; please excuse me: I will grieve your face, your heart; I will fall into your anger, into your displeasure, my Lady, my Mistress.”

Day 13 • November 8

Commited

Accomplishing God’s will requires a certain determination. Our Lady, of course, was always committed to doing His will. The hesitation on St. Juan Diego’s part is met with a clear insistence that he should be the one to carry her message to the Archbishop. Mary’s confidence in him restores his commitment to do what she asks.

The Perfect Virgin, worthy of honor and veneration, answered him:

“Listen, my youngest and dearest son. Know for sure that I have no lack of servants, of messengers, to whom I can give the task of carrying my breath, my word, so that they carry out my will. But it is very necessary that you personally go and plead that my wish, my will, become a reality, be carried out through your intercession.

And I beg you, my youngest and dearest son, and I order you strictly to go again tomorrow to see the bishop. And in my name, make him know, make him hear my wish, my will, so that he will bring into being, he will build my house of God that I am asking him for. 

And carefully tell him again how I, personally, the Ever Virgin Holy Mary, I, who am the mother of God, am sending you.”

Day 14 • November 9

Faithful

As the events of the Guadalupe story unfold we see the faithfulness of Our Lady to he humble helper. At the same time we see that he grows in his own fidelity to the plan, the mission at hand. It is worth noticing that he remains faithful despite his momentary unwillingness. She brings out the best in her children.

For his part, Juan Diego responded to her and said to her:

“My Lady, Queen, my Little Girl, let me not give you anguish, let me not grieve your face, your heart. I will most gladly go to carry out your breath, your word; I will absolutely not fail to do it, nor do I think the road is painful. I will go and carry out your will, but perhaps I won’t be heard, and if I am heard, perhaps I won’t be believed. Tomorrow afternoon, when the sun goes down, I will come to return to your word, to your breath, what the Governing Priest answers to me. Now, I respectfully say goodbye to you, my youngest Daughter, young Girl, Lady, my Little Girl, rest a little more.”

And then he went to his house to rest.

Day 15 • November 10

Mother of Christ

For some years St. Juan Diego had been a faithful servant of Our Lord and Our Lady in the Sacraments and by learning the truths of our Faith. Even in the midst of the dramatic experience of seeing Mary and doing her bidding we find him fulfilling his usual duties to God. In this he honors Mary as the Mother of the Christ and Christ Himself.

On the following day, Sunday, while it was still night, everything was still dark, he left there, he left his house, he came straight to Tlatilolco, he came to learn what pertains to God and to be counted in roll call; then to see the Reverend Bishop.

And around ten o’clock everything had been taken care of: Mass was over and roll had been called and the crowd had gone away.

And Juan Diego went to the Reverend Bishop’s residence. 

Day 16 • November 11

Powerful

There are many moments in the Guadalupe story which might be called powerful. The part we meditate on today, however, probably wouldn’t come to mind. When we consider that God works in and through His Church on earth we can see how His power actually does shine through the deliberations and discernment of the Archbishop and the Saint trying to accomplish Our Lady’s will. She, by humbly carrying out God’s plan, is in fact powerful in a fruitful and beautiful way.

And as soon as he arrived he went through the whole struggle to see him, and after much effort he saw him again; he knelt at his feet, he wept, he became sad as he spoke to him, as he revealed to him the word, the breath of the Queen of Heaven. That would to God the errand, the will, of the Perfect Virgin would be believed, of making for her, of building her sacred little house for her, where she had said, where she wanted it. And the Governing Bishop asked him many, many things, pursued many, many questions with him, to make certain of where he had seen her, what She was like; he told absolutely everything to the Bishop. 

Day 17 • November 12

Sorrowful

The sorrow of Our Blessed Mother reminds us of the patient way she suffered alongside and with Jesus. He suffered and died because of sin. She was right there with Him, all the while trusting in the victory His love would win. Sorrow marks for us the tension present when things aren’t as they should be. These times are very different when we face them with Our Lord and Our Lady.

El dolor de Nuestra Santísima Madre nos recuerda la forma paciente en que sufrió junto y con Jesús. Sufrió y murió a causa del pecado. Ella estaba allí con Él, confiando todo el tiempo en la victoria que obtendría Su amor. El dolor marca para nosotros la tensión presente cuando las cosas no son como deberían ser. Estos tiempos son muy diferentes cuando los afrontamos con Nuestro Señor y Nuestra Señora.

Day 18 • November 13

Grateful

A grateful spirit brings a special balance into our lives. Regularly recognizing and acknowledging blessings we’ve received from God changes our perspective by adding back the attention to what is good, even while experiencing other negative things. Our Lady was always grateful, even when the sword pierced her heart.

As soon as Juan Diego heard that, he said to the Bishop: “Señor Governor, think about what the sign you ask for will be, because then I will go to ask for it of the Queen of Heaven who sent me.” And when the Bishop saw that he was in agreement, that he did not hesitate or doubt in the slightest, he dismissed him.
And as soon as he is on his way, he orders some of house-hold staff in whom he had absolute trust to go along following him, to carefully observe where he was going, whom he was seeing, to whom he was talking. And that’s what they did. And Juan Diego came directly. He took the causeway. 

Day 19 • November 14

Queen of Hope

In the midst of the activities of a given day, and certainly in the larger things we face, we can feel like the momentum changes for or against us. In the back and forth between Our Lady and St. Juan Diego and the Archbishop it was the same. When things take a turn “in our favor” it is good to renew our attention to Mary, Queen of Hope.

And those who were following him lost him on the wooden bridge where the brook comes out near Tepeyac. And even though they searched all over for him, they couldn’t find him anywhere. And so they turned back. He made them angry, not just because they had made terrible fools of themselves, but also because he had frustrated their attempt. So they went to tell the Señor Bishop, they put into his head that he shouldn’t believe him, they told him how he was only telling him lies, that he was only making up what he came to tell him, or that he was only dreaming or imagining what he was telling him, what he was asking of him.

Day 20 • November 15

Solidarity

An ongoing effort to see the good in each other and to presume the best can help us avoid big mistakes. The effort to stay united and seek the good is constantly opposed by the evil one.

Therefore they decided that if he came again, if he returned, they would grab him right there and would punish him severely, so that he would never come again to tell lies or get the people all excited. Meanwhile, Juan Diego was with the Most Holy Virgin, telling her the response that he was bringing from the Bishop.

Day 21 • November 16

Welcoming

The calm sweetness of Our Lady must have warmed the heart of St. Juan Diego. The drama lessens and his confidence grows. Her mission was to bring countless individuals to Jesus in the chapel she requested. It was all about that welcome they would receive.

When she had heard it, she said to him:
“That’s fine, my dear son, you will come back here tomorrow so that you may take the bishop the sign he has asked you for; with this he will believe you, and he will no longer be suspicious of you; and know, my dear son, that I will rewqrd your care and the work and fatigue that you have put into this for me. So, go now. I will be waiting here for you tomorrow.”

Day 22 • November 17

Educator

The compassionate kindness our Saint shows to his uncle (altough it meant making Our Lady wait!) came from the careful attention he had always given to learning the ways of faith, hope, and love. Our Lady guided his instruction all that time.

And on the following day, Monday, when Juan Diego was to take some sign in order to be believed, he did not return. Because when he arrived at his house, the sickness had struck an uncle of his, named Juan Bernardino, and he was very ill.
He went to get the native healer, who treated him, but it was too late; he was very ill. And when night came, his uncle begged him to come to Tlatilolco shortly after midnight, while it was still dark, to call some priest to go to confess him, to go to get him ready, because he was sure that the time and place had now come for him to die, because he would no longer get up, he would no longer get well. 

Day 23 • November 18

Benevolent

The kind and charitable heart of St. Juan Diego is perplexed. Even because of his kindness and love he finds himself involved in two important missions at once. He doesn’t hesitate. He chooses to bring the peace and relief of the Sacrraments to his dying uncle. The urgency of his mission remains on his mind as he proceeds. Perhaps he recalled the words of Scripture: “All things work for the good of those who love God…”

And on Tuesday, while it was still night, Juan Diego left his house to come to Tlatilolco to get the priest. Aand when he finally reached the little hill which ended the mountain range, at its foot, where the road comes out, on the side that the sun sets on, where he always passed before, he said: “If I go ahead on the road, I don’t want this Lady to see me, because for sure, just like before, she’ll stop me so I can take the sign to the church governor for her, as she ordered me to; because first our tribulation must leave us; first I must quickly call the (Franciscan) priest; my uncle is anxiously waiting for him.”

Day 24 • November 19

Consoler

It is almost humorous to see how St. Juan Diego hides from Our Lady. Is that possible? Is it necessary? Of course, the whole time she is working out the best outcomes. She brings Jesus. Consolation and help will come.

He immediately turned toward the hill, climbed up across it where there is a pass, and emerged on the eastern side, so that he could quickly to Mexico so that the Queen of Heaven would not detain him. He thinks that where he made the turn, the one who is looking everywhere perfectly won’t be able to see him. He saw how she was coming down from up on the hill, and that from there she had been looking at him, from where she saw him before. 

Day 25 • November 20

Queen of Unity

The sincerity of the Saint’s explanation to Mary is moving. In her presence the complexities he is facing will become more manageable. His mind and emotions will calm down when she engages with him on the challenges at hand.

She came to meet him beside the hill, she came to block his way; she said to him:
“What’s happening, youngest and dearest of all my sons? Where are you going, where are you headed for?”

And he, perhaps he grieved a little, or perhaps he became ashamed? Or perhaps he became afraid of the situation, he became fearful? He prostrated himself before her, he greeted her, he said to her:
“My little Maiden, my smallest Daughter, my Girl, I hope you are happy; how are you this morning? Does your beloved little body feel well, my Lady, my Girl? Although it grieves me, I will cause your face and your heart anguish: I must tell you, my little Girl, that one of your servants, my uncle, is very ill. “

Day 26 • November 21

Queen of Confidence

St. Juan Diego maintains a certain confidence in his own plan. He intends to proceed. Things will change, however, when he listens to her. She and the grace of her Son are already at work. St. Juan Diego’s plan isn’t wrong. Yet, he will readily trust in what Mary offers.

A terrible sickness has taken hold of him; he will surely die from it soon. And now I shall go quickly to your little house of Mexico (Mexico-Tlatilolco), to call one of our priests, the beloved ones of Our Lord, so that he will go to hear his confession and prepare him, because we really were born for that we who came to wait for the painful effort of our death. But, if I am going to carry it out, I will return here after that to go carry your breath, your word, Lady, my little Young one. I beg you to forgive me, be patient with me a little longer, because I am not deceiving you with this, my youngest Daughter, my little Girl, tomorrow without fail I will come as fast as possible.”

Day 27 • November 22

Obedient

Once we know God’s will, it is important for us to follow it. Sometimes we can easily see that His plan is better, much better than ours. At other times we can’t see it so well. Hearing the voice and message of Our Lady made it easy for St. Juan Diego to obey.

As soon as she heard the explanations of Juan Diego, the Merciful Perfect Virgin answered him:
“Listen. Put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, the thing that frightened you, the thing that afflicted you is nothing. Do not let it disturb you. Do not fear this sickness nor any other sickness, nor any sharp and hurtful thing.”

Day 28 • November 23

Resilient

The power of Mary’s words in this special moment should inspire us. The challenges of our lives can be and should be met within the context of Our Lady’s intercession. We can face much more than we believe we can.

Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more?

Day 29 • November 24

Respectful

Mary isn’t overpowering or imposing. She is sensitive to the worries and cares of St. Juan Diego and of ours.

“Let nothing else worry you, disturb you. Do not let your uncle’s illness pressure you with grief, because he will not die of it now. You may be certain that he is already well.” (And at that very moment his uncle became well, as they later found out.)

Day 30 • November 25

Beloved

The great assistance and care Our Lady brings to St. Juan Diego are inspiring. As a mother, she always has more to give. Her gifts stir up our love for her.

And when Juan Diego heard the lovely word, the lovely breath of the Queen of Heaven, he was greatly comforted by it, his heart became peaceful. And he begged her to send him immediately to see the Governing Bishop, to take him something for a sign, for proof so that he would believe. And the Queen of Heaven ordered him then to go to the top of the little hill, where he had seen her before.

She said to him: “Go up, my dearest son, to the top of the hill, to where you saw me and I told you what to do. There you will see that there are different kinds of flowers. Cut them, gather them, put them all together. Then come down here. Bring them here into my presence.”

Day 31 • November 26

Surprising

The time of year, the harsh conditions, the exquisite beauty of the flowers, and even the fact that Juan Diego is deeply involved in all of it are all surprising realities to him. He quickly learns that Our Lady is like Our Lord in her gracious way of bringing about powerful moments of transformation through grace. These surprising moments, it turns out, lead to many more.

Juan Diego climbed to the top the top of the hill right away. And when he reached the top, he was astonished by all of them, blooming, open, flowers of every kind, lovely and beautiful, when it still was not their season: because really that was the season in which the frost was very harsh: they were giving off an extremely soft fragrance; like precious pearls, as if filled with the dew of the night. Then he began to cut them, he gathered them all, he put them in the hollow of his tilma.

Day 32 • November 27

Witness

No one has seen more of the saving works of Jesus. No one has proclaimed them more clearly. She is the best witness. The touching moment she shares now is part of a great new wave of conversions and healings, by God’s mercy, she will both see with happiness and bring to fulfillment.

The top of the little hill was certainly not a place in which any flowers grew; there are only plenty of rocks, thorns, spines, prickly pears and mesquite trees, And even though some little herbs or grasses might grow, it was then the month of December, in which the frost eats everything up and destroys it. And immediately he came back down, he came to bring the Heavenly Maiden the different kinds of flowers which he had gone up to cut.

Day 33 • November 28

Queen of the Covenant

The beautiful gift of roses and flowers which St. Juan Diego carries so joyfully represents something very serious to him and to Mary. A new historical and consequential exchange it taking place between God and His people. Our Lady is again interceding to strengthen God’s covenant with us.

And when she saw them, she took them with her precious hands; Then she put them all together into the hollow of his ayate again and said: “My youngest and dearest son, these different kinds of flowers are the proof, the sign that you will take to the bishop; you will tell him from me that he is to see in them my desire, and that therefore he is to carry out my wish, my will. And you, you who are my messenger, in you I place my absolute trust; and I strictly order you that you only open your ayate alone in the presence of the bishop, and show him what you are carrying. And you will tell him everything exactly, you will tell him that I ordered you to climb to the top of the little hill to cut flowers, and everything that you saw and admired, so that you can convince the governing priest, so that he will then do what lies within his responsibility so that my temple which I have asked him for will be made, will be raised.”

Day 35 • November 30

Servant

Mary lived a profoundly humble life of service to the saving mysteries of Jesus. She lived in a constant state of tension between what was to come and what was necessary in suffering to bring it about. Juan Diego finds himself in the tension of wanting to share the gift he carries but being forced to wait a long time to do so. Life for Him gives us many opportunities to wait in joyful hope—and so to serve the mysteries.

When he arrived at the Bishop’s residence, the doorkeeper and the other servants of the Governing Priest went to meet him. And he begged them to tell him how much he wanted to see him, but none of them was willing; they pretended they didn’t understand him, or perhaps because it was still very dark; or perhaps because they felt by now that all he did was bother them and keep on insisting, and their companions had already told them, the ones who lost him from sight when they were following him. For a long, long time he waited for his request to be granted.

Day 36 • December 1

Guadalupe

The name Guadalupe evokes ideas of many aspects of the great events that took place in the days we are commemorating now. For generations and still today that one word brings to mind the roses and flowers, the tilma, the Saint, Our Lady and Our Lord. May this special blessing to us and, really, to all people, continue to redound to the glory of God.

And when they saw that he was simply standing there for a long, long time with his head down, without doing anything, in case he should be called, and that it looked as if he was carrying something, as if he was bringing it in the hollow of his tilma – then they came up close to him to see what he was bringing and thus satisfy their curiosity. And when Juan Diego saw that there was no way in which he could hide from them what he was carrying and that therefore they might harass him or push him perhaps rough him and the flowers up, he finally gave them a little peek and they saw that it was flowers.

And when they saw that they were all exquisite different flowers and that it wasn’t the season for them to be blooming, they were very, very astonished by how fresh they were, how good they smelled, how handsome they seemed.

Day 37 • December 2

Missionary

Missionaries are famously full of enthusiasm and energy and zeal. The Archbishop was a missionary with a tough and complicated mission. He was also a man of wisdom and courage and prayer. These fruitful moments in which he was drawn into the message and plan of Our Lady bring him a new missionary impulse, one which is really Our Lady’s, as well.

And they wanted to grab and pull a few out; They dared to try to grab them three times, but there was no way in which they could do it, because when they would try, they could no longer see the flowers, they saw them as if they were painted or embroidered or sewn on the tilma.
They went immediately to tell the Governing Bishop what they had seen,
and how much the lowly Indian who had come other times wanted to see him, and that he had been waiting a very long time there for permission, because he wanted to see him. And as soon as the Governing Bishop heard it, he realized that this was the proof to convince him to get started on what the humble man was asking him for.

Day 38 • December 3

Admirable

The power of the signs Our Lady will provide will convince the Archbishop. His interaction with St. Juan Diego show a growing respect which will become admiration. All of the people involved will find themselves immersed in a new and continuing admiration for the special way Our Lady accomplishes her missions for Him.

He immediately ordered that he come in to see him. And when he had come in, he prostrated himself in his presence, as he had done before. And again he told him what he had seen and admired, and his message. He said to him, “Your Excellency, sir, I have done it. I have carried out your orders, That is, I went to tell my Mistress, the Heavenly Maiden, Holy Mary, the Beloved Mother of God, that you were asking for proof so you could believe me, so that you would make her sacred little house, where she is asking you to build it; And I also told her that I had given you my word to come to bring you some sign, some proof of her will, as you told me to. And she listened carefully to your breath, your word, and was pleased to receive your request for the sign, the proof, so that her beloved will can be done, can be carried out. And today, while it was still night, she ordered me to come again to see you; and I asked her for the proof so that I would be believed, as she had said that she would give it to me, and she kept her promise immediately.”

Day 39 • December 4

Light

The light that disciples of Jesus share is His light. The down to earth willingness and trust that Juan Diego shows throughout his encounter with Mary make it clear that he had learned since his conversion and Baptism to see things in Christ’s light and to carry that light. We see that same spirit as he recounts the story and in the way he did his part in the story.

And she ordered me to the top of the little hill where I had seen her before, to cut different flowers up there; Castillian roses. And when I had cut them, I took them down to her at the bottom; and she took them with her holy hands, again she placed them in the hollow of my ayate, so that I would bring them to you, so I would give them only to you. Although I knew very well that the top of the hill isn’t a place where flowers grow, because there are only a lot of craggy rocks, thorns, spiny acacias, prickly pears, mesquite bushes. I didn’t doubt because of that, I didn’t hesitate because of that.

Day 40 • December 5

Comforter

What a gift! The explanation of the Saint might have seemed long to the servants of the Archbishop, but he seems to listen with attention. The description is literally an answer to many prayers offered by the Archbishop. As he listens and waits for the revelation of the special gift he must have felt the comforting presence of the great and compassionate Lady.

When I reached the top of the hill I saw that it was now paradise. Every kind of different precious flowers were there, each one perfect, the very finest that there are, full of dew and shining so I immediately cut them; and she told me that I should give them to you from her, and that in this way I would show the truth; that you should see the sign that you were asking for in order to carry our her beloved will, and so that it will be clear that my word, my message, is truth, here they are; please receive them.

Day 41 • December 6

Gracious

What exactly was the sign the Archbishop asked for in his prayer to Our Lady? The reaction of St. Juan Diego to the beautiful out of season, out of place flowers makes it clear that he is sure he has enough to please and convince the Archbishop. It is very possible that the flowers were exactly what the Archbishop sought as a sign. The miraculous and beautiful image of Our Lady on the tilma is a very gracious and “over the top” sign, even for us today, of God’s abundant and ready goodness.

And then he held out his white tilma, in the hollow of which he had placed the flowers. And just as all the different precious flowers fell to the floor, then and there the beloved Image of the Perfect Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, became the sign, suddenly appeared in the form and figure in which it is now, where it is preserved in her beloved little house, in her sacred little house at Tepeyac, which is called Guadalupe.

Day 42 • December 7

Immaculate

A direct encounter with Our Lady, the Immaculate One, always brings about a clear awareness of the truth of how we are. The dramatic moment when her miraculous image was received brought about strong reactions in the few who were privileged to be there. Their response highlights her motherly way of reaching us, and teaching us.

And as soon as the Governing Bishop and all those who were there saw it, they knelt, they were full of awe and reverence. They stood up to see it, they became sad, they wept, their hearts and minds were in ecstasy. And the Governing Bishop weeping and with sadness begged and asked her to forgive him for not having immediately carried out her will, her holy breath, her holy word. And when he got up, he untied Juan Diego’s garment, his tilma, from his neck where it was tied.

Day 43 • December 8

Flower of Flowers

Great care and reverence are given to the miraculous gift of Mary’s image on the tilma. For everyone who saw it and heard the story the fragrance of flowers must have come to mind. It is usual for us to try to preserve a flower for as long as we can. The special beauty of the tilma’s image remains bright, beautiful and inviting for all to see to this very day!

On which the Heavenly Queen appeared, on which she became the sign. And then he took it and placed it in his private chapel. And Juan Diego still stayed for the day in the Bishop’s house, he still kept him there. And on the next day he said to him: Come, let’s go so you can show where is that the Queen of Heaven wants her chapel built.” People were immediately invited to make it, to build it.

Day 44 • December 9

Mother of Heaven

The excited sharing between St. Juan Diego and his uncle about all that the Lady had been doing in their lives was excitement that came from and was shared in Heaven. Our loving response to Mary’s invitations, whether big or small ones, connects us to Heaven as well.

And Juan Diego, as soon as he showed where the Lady of Heaven had ordered her sacred little house to be built, asked for permission: he wanted to go to his house in order to see his uncle, Juan Bernardino, who was very ill when he left him to go to Tlatilolco to call a priest to confess him and prepare him, the one whom the Queen of Heaven had told him had already been cured. But they didn’t let him go alone, rather people went with him to his house.
And when they arrived they saw that his uncle was now healthy; he had absolutely no pain of any kind. And he, for his part, was greatly surprised by the way in which his nephew was accompanied and very honored; he asked his nephew why it was that they were honoring him so much;
and he told him how, when he left to go call a priest for him who would confess him and prepare him, the Lady of Heaven appeared to him there at Tepeyac; and she sent him to Mexico City to see the Governing Bishop, so that he would make her a house at Tepeyac.

Day 45 • December 10

Courageous

All of the participants in the great Event of Guadalupe grow as it unfolds. St. Juan Diego and his uncle were not accustomed to any interaction with the Archbishop. The presence and the activity of Our Lady raises them up and they do great things without fear.

And she told him not to worry, because his uncle was now happy, and she consoled him very much with this news. His uncle told him that it was true, that she healed him at that exact moment, 204 And he saw her in exactly the same way she had appeared to his nephew, 205 and she told him that she was also sending him to Mexico City to see the Bishop; and also that when he went to see him, he should reveal absolutely everything to him, he should tell him what he had seen . and the marvelous way in which she had healed him, and that he would properly name her beloved Image thus: THE PERFECT VIRGIN, HOLY MARY OF GUADALUPE. And then they brought Juan Bernardino into the presence of the Governing Bishop, they brought him to speak with him, to give his testimony, and together with his nephew Juan Diego, the Bishop lodged them in his house for a few days. While the sacred little house of the lovely Little Queen was built out there at Tepeyac, where she revealed herself to Juan Diego.

Day 46 • December 11

Perfect

How astounding it is to think of the millions of lives which have been helped by the Guadalupe Event! Our Lady’s request is still being accomplished. Her humble sons and daughters still come before her so that she can do what she always has done and will do—bring them and us to her Son, Jesus.

And the Reverend Bishop moved the beloved Image of the Beloved Heavenly Maiden to the principal church. He took her beloved Image from his residence, from his private chapel in which it was, so that all could see it and admire it. And absolutely this entire city with no exception was deeply moved as everyone came to see and admire her precious Image. They came to acknowledge its divine character. They came to offer her their payers. They marveled at the miraculous way it had appeared. since absolutely no one on earth had painted her beloved Image.