a year of prayer: 365 Rosaries

Today, December 12, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As we read on December 9, in 1531, a native Mexican, Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, rose before dawn to walk fifteen miles to daily Mass in what is now Mexico City. Juan lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. That morning would change his life, as Our Blessed Mother—Our Lady of Guadalupe-- would appear to him, bringing a maternal message of hope, love, compassion and grace.


On December 9, as Juan was climbing Tepeyac Hill, he heard beautiful, heavenly music, and saw a glowing cloud encircled by a rainbow. A woman’s voice called to him from the top of the hill, urging him upward. Upon arrival, he saw a beautiful young woman, dressed as an Aztec princess. From the first translation of the accounts of that day: “Approaching her presence, he marveled greatly at her superhuman grandeur; her garments were shining like the sun; the cliff where she rested her feet, pierced with glitter, resembling an anklet of precious stones, and the earth sparkled like the rainbow. The mezquites, nopales, and other different weeds, which grow there, appeared like emeralds, their foliage like turquoise, and their branches and thorns glistened like gold.”


Our Blessed Mother said to Saint Juan Diego: “Juanito, the most humble of my sons, where are you going?”

He replied: “My Lady and Child, I have to reach your church in Mexico, Tlatilolco, to pursue things divine, taught and given to us by our priests, delegates of Our Lord.”

She then spoke to him of her desires and purpose for appearing to him: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows. And to accomplish what my clemency pretends, go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico, and you will say to him that I manifest my great desire, that here on this plain a temple be built to me; you will accurately relate all you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. Be assured that I will be most grateful and will reward you, because I will make you happy and worthy of recompense for the effort and fatigue in what you will obtain of what I have entrusted. Behold, you have heard my mandate, my humble son; go and put forth all your effort.”

Juan Diego left her, reporting immediately to the bishop’s residence, where he informed Father Juan de Zumarraga, a recently arrived Franciscan religious, of the events of the morning. After a significant wait, he was allowed to speak to the bishop, who was kind (but skeptical), and sent him away.

Disheartened, Juan returned to the Tepeyac Hill, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to him again. Prostrate before her, he apologized for his inability to carry out her request. She smiled upon him, radiant like the sun, and gently said:

“Hark, my son the least, you must understand that I have many servants and messengers, to whom I must entrust the delivery of my message, and carry my wish, but it is of precise detail that you yourself solicit and assist and that through your mediation my wish be complied. I earnestly implore, my son the least, and with sternness I command that you again go tomorrow and see the bishop. You go in my name, and make known my wish in its entirety that he has to start the erection of a temple which I ask of him. And again tell him that I, in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, sent you.”

Again, Saint Juan Diego agreed to do as he was told, first going home to rest. The following day, he would again visit the bishop. Early the next morning, he returned to the city, seeking audience with the bishop. Again, he was made to wait, this time his sadness and anxiety at not being able to immediately carry out the request of Our Lady reducing him to tears. The bishop, upon seeing his reaction, agreed to meet with him, asking him questions, and remaining skeptical. At the conclusion of the meeting, the bishop requested a sign from the Lady, to prove her identity.

Saint Juan returned to the hill, and again was graced with an appearance from Our Blessed Mother. Upon recounting the bishop’s request, she said to him:

“Well and good, my little dear, you will return here tomorrow, so you may take to the bishop the sign he has requested. With this he will believe you, and in this regard he will not doubt you nor will he be suspicious of you; and know, my little dear, that I will reward your solicitude and effort and fatigue spent of my behalf. Lo! Go now. I will await you here tomorrow.”

Saint Juan Diego returned home, full of joy, as his moments with the Blessed Virgin always left him. Upon arriving home, he was informed that his uncle was ill, and unlikely to live. It was requested that he return to the city in the morning to bring a priest to the home to administer the last sacraments. In the morning, Juan hurried to do so, arriving at Tepeyac Hill, and attempting to skirt it, so as not to be detained by Our Blessed Mother (as time was of the essence). As he was taking an alternate route along the base of the hill, he witnessed Our Lady of Guadalupe descend from above, as if on a cloud, glancing upward to where they typically met. She approached him at the side of the hill and said to him: “What’s there, my son the least? Where are you going?”

Ashamed, Saint Juan explained the situation, and the reason why he had not kept his “appointment” with her that morning. Smiling, the Blessed Virgin answered: “Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is 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 by anything. Do not be afflicted by the illness of your uncle, who will not die now of it. Be assured that he is now cured.” Upon returning home later that day, Juan was overjoyed to discover that his uncle was, indeed, completely cured of his illness.

Hearing Our Lady’s response, Juan humbly requested the sign the bishop had asked for, so that he might take it to him and prove her identity. Our Blessed Mother requested that he climb to the top of the hill, where they had first met. She said: “Climb, my son the least, to the top of the hill; there where you saw me and I gave you orders, you will find different flowers. Cut them, gather them, assemble them, then come and bring them before my presence.”

Saint Juan Diego did as he was told, although given that it was winter, he was certain that there would be no flowers in bloom. Moreover, the top of Tepeyac Hill was exposed to the elements, and generally the only things that grew there were weeds and thorny plants. Nonetheless, obediently, he climbed to the top of the hill, amazed to find it covered with the most beautiful, glistening roses of every sort imaginable. Recognizing them as a gift of Our Mother, he carefully cut them, placing them in his tilma—a coarse cloak he wore for warmth—and returned to where Mary awaited him.

She said to him: “My son the least, this diversity of roses is the proof and the sign which you will take to the bishop. You will tell him in my name that he will see in them my wish and that he will have to comply to it. You are my ambassador, most worthy of all confidence. Rigorously I command you that only before the presence of the bishop will you unfold your mantle and disclose what you are carrying. You will relate all and well; you will tell that I ordered you to climb to the hilltop, to go and cut flowers; and all that you saw and admired, so you can induce the prelate to give his support, with the aim that a temple be built and erected as I have asked.”

Saint Juan hurried to the bishop’s residence, his tilma laden with the precious flowers of Our Blessed Mother. He was again made to wait, and finally the bishop’s attendants demanded that he reveal the contents he was carrying. Juan Diego slowly opened his tilma, and the fragrance and beauty of the flowers overwhelmed those present. Some tried to take the flowers, to show the bishop, but their every attempt was foiled, as upon reaching for them, the flowers would appear to be drawn on the cloth, but when their hands were removed, would again appear in three-dimensions. Realizing the miraculous nature of the flowers, they quickly ushered him into the bishop’s chamber.

Saint Juan recounted the story to the bishop, and opening his tilma, let the flowers (Castilian roses, which do not grown in Mexico) fall to the ground. Left on the cloak was a glowing image of Our Lady, as she had appeared to Juan. Soon after, a church was built on the site where our Lady appeared, and thousands converted to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the patroness of the Americas.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe which appeared on the tilma of Saint Juan Diego has been examined repeatedly by scientists, historians, and art experts. No plausible explanation—other than the supernatural blessings of Our Blessed Mother—has been offered to explain this remarkable image. After 450 years, the tilma shows no signs of deterioration, despite the fact that it is made from a coarse fabric of the cactus plant which normally disintegrates in 20-60 years. Artist historians have discovered that there is no sketch beneath the image, no protective coating, and microscopic examination proves there are no brush strokes. The image is smooth, like a photograph (despite pre-dating photography by 300 years), and appears to increase in size and color when examined. No accurate reproduction has been possible, either by brush or camera. When examined closely, several images are clearly visible in reflected in the eyes of the Virgin, including Saint Juan Diego. Moreover, miraculously, the stars depicted exactly match the configuration and placement of the constellations which would have been present in the sky on December 12, 1531!

Our Lady of Guadalupe revealed to the world her maternal love, her protection, her solace and comfort, and her grace and clemency. We turn to Our Blessed Mother today, placing our lives in her hands, begging her pity and protection, her grace, and her love. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!



Pope John Paul II’s Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church!, who from this place reveal your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer.


Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hidden and silent sacrifice, to you, who come to meet us sinners, we dedicate on this day all our being and all our love. We also dedicate to you our life, our work, our joys, our infirmities and our sorrows. Grant peace, justice and prosperity to our peoples; for we entrust to your care all that we have and all that we are, our Lady and Mother. We wish to be entirely yours and to walk with you along the way of complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ in His Church; hold us always with your loving hand.


Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we pray to you for all the Bishops, that they may lead the faithful along paths of intense Christian life, of love and humble service of God and souls. Contemplate this immense harvest, and intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole people of God, and grant abundant vocations of priests and religious, strong in the faith and zealous dispensers of God’s mysteries.

Grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, protect our families, so that they may always be united, and bless the upbringing of our children.


Our hope, look upon us with compassion, teach us to go continually to Jesus and, if we fall, help us to rise again, to return to Him, by means of the confession of our faults and sins in the Sacrament of Penance, which gives peace to the soul.


We beg you to grant us a great love for all the holy Sacraments, which are, as it were, the signs that your Son left us on earth.


Thus, Most Holy Mother, with the peace of God in our conscience, with our hearts free from evil and hatred, we will be able to bring to all true joy and true peace, which come to us from your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever.Amen.





Year 2: Day 346 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Reliance on Our Blessed Mother; Confidence in her love.
Requested Intentions: Financial security, successful employment (J); Obedience to God’s will (A); Conversion of souls (A); Success of business venture; faith of daughter (S); Safe return home (J); Recovery of mother and son; repose of the souls of the dearly departed (A); Blessings upon a relationship (M); Sobriety and recovery for a son (M); Employment and successful marriage (A); Employment, healing, freedom from anxiety (T); Financial security (C); Conversion (T); Peace in difficult times at work (E); Financial security and blessings for mother and children (T); Financial security for a mother (M); Health, finances, successful marriage (A); Successful resolution of court case for son (K); Continued sobriety (N); Healing of a chronic health condition (B); Successful employment (A): Peace in a family, recovery of a niece from substance use (L); Blessings on a marriage, healing of a husband (P); For the health and recovery of sisters (B); For a daughter and granddaughter (D); Blessings on overseas employment (M); Healing of mother (L).

Today, December 9, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474-1548), visionary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the first Catholic saint indigenous to the Americas. Saint Juan is a model of Christian steadfastness, walking 15 miles to attend Mass each day, and an example of profound humility, stating to Our Blessed Mother: “I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf.”


Little is factually known about the life of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin before his conversion at age 50 by Franciscan missionaries. However, tradition, archeological, and iconographical sources, along with the indigenous document detailing the events of the apparitions at Guadalupe (“El nican Mopohua,” written in Náhuatl with Latin characters in 1556) shed some light on this simple and holy man.

Born with the name "Cuauhtlatoatzin" (which means "the talking eagle") in Cuautlitlán, (modern-day Mexico City), Mexico, Juan was a member of the Chichimeca people, a culturally advanced group living in Anáhuac Valley. Thought to an average man, of neither the upper respected classes of priests, warriors and merchants, but also not a slave, Juan is likely to have owned a small house and farmed a small tract of land. He was happily married, although had no children. The remainder of his life is lost to history until his encounter with Franciscan priest, Father Peter da Gand. At age 50, Juan accepted Christ into his life, converting to Catholicism and being baptized. Every day thereafter, he walked more than 15 miles barefoot to attend daily Mass.

The events of December 9, 1531, occurred during his usual morning walk, when on the crest of Tepeyac Hill (outside Mexico City), the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him. Known as Our Lady of Guadalupe (whose feast we celebrate in just 3 days on December 12), Our Lady requested that Juan visit the local bishop and request that a shrine be built in her name. She further promised to pour out her unending grace on those who invoked her. Our Lady talked to Juan in his language, Nahuatl. She called him "Juanito, Juan Dieguito,” "the most humble of my sons,” "my son the least,” and "my little dear.”

Indeed a humble man, Juan obediently visited the bishop, who did not believe the wild tale—especially from a “nobody.” Why would the Blessed Virgin appear to such a simple man? He requested that Juan return with a sign to prove that the apparition was true. Three days later, on December 12 (the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Juan was again climbing Tepeyac Hill and encountered Our Lady again. She instructed him to climb to the top of the hill and to pick the flowers he would find there. Despite it being wintertime, he obeyed, climbing the hill, finding fragrant roses in blossom. He picked the flowers and carried them to Our Lady. She gently placed them in his mantle (robe) and instructed him to take them to his bishop as proof of his claims and her appearance.

Juan carefully carried the flowers back to the bishop, and miraculously found that when he opened his mantle and the flowers fell to the ground, in their place was an image of the Blessed Mother as she appeared at Tepeyac. The bishop was convinced and ordered a church built for Virgin of Guadalupe, which became a place of pilgrimage for the faithful.

For his part, Juan requested that he be allowed to live in hermitude in a small hut near the chapel that was built to house the miraculous image. Receiving permission from the bishop, he gave up all his worldly possessions and lived his remaining years caring for the church and the pilgrims who visited, venerating the image, and praying for the grace of Mary. Upon his death, he was buried in the chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Pope John Paul II called Juan “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian. “In praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the closeness of the church and the pope, embracing you with love and encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are going through,” the pope said. Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.

Saint Juan Diego reminds us of the universality of the Church, and that the Lord and His Blessed Mother value each of us equally. In the end, as we read the lives of the saints, it becomes clear that race, gender, class, wealth, disability, appearance, culture, sexual orientation—all the things that divide us—are unimportant in the eyes of Lord. Rather, the willingness to open one’s heart, to serve, to embrace the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and charity—to be obedient to the Word of God—these are the things that matter on earth.


From the beatification homily delivered by Pope John Paul II:

At the dawn of Mexican evangelization Saint Juan Diego holds a place all by himself; according to tradition, his indigenous name was Cuauhtlatohuac, “The eagle who speaks”. His lovable figure is inseparable from the Guadalupe event, the miraculous maternal manifestation of the Virgin, Mother of God, both in iconographic and literary memorials as well as in the centuries-old devotion which the Mexican Church has shown for this Indian so loved by Mary. Similar to ancient Biblical personages who were collective representations of all the people, we could say that Juan Diego represents all the indigenous peoples who accepted the Gospel of Jesus, thanks to the maternal aid of Mary, who is always inseparable from the manifestation of her Son and the spread of the Church, as was her presence among the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. The information about him that has reached us praises his Christian virtues: his simple faith, nourished by catechesis and open to the mysteries; his hope and trust in God and in the Virgin; his love, his moral coherence, his unselfishness and evangelical poverty. Living the life of a hermit here near Tepeyac, he was a model of humility. The Virgin chose him from among the most humble as the one to receive that loving and gracious manifestation of hers which is the Guadalupe apparition. Her maternal face and her Saint image which she left us as a priceless gift is a permanent remembrance of this. In this manner she wanted to remain among you as a sign of the communion and unity of all those who were to live together in this land. The recognition of the cult which for centuries has been paid to the layman Juan Diego takes on a special importance. It is a strong call to all the lay faithful of this nation to assume all their responsibilities, for passing on the Gospel message and witnessing to one faith active and working in the sphere of Mexican society. From this privileged spot of Guadalupe, ever-faithful heart of Mexico, I wish to call on all the Mexican laity, to commit themselves more actively to the re-evangelization of society. The lay faithful share in the prophetic, priestly and royal role of Christ (cf. Lumen Gentium, 31), but they carry out this vocation in the ordinary situations of daily life. Their natural and immediate field of action extends to all the areas of human coexistence and to everything that constitutes culture in the widest and fullest sense of the term. As I wrote in the Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici: “In order to achieve their task directed to the Christian animation of the temporal order, in the sense of serving persons and society, the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in public life, that is, in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good” (n. 42). Catholic men and women of Mexico, your Christian vocation is, by its very nature, a vocation to the apostolate (cf. Apostolicam Actuositatem, 3). Therefore, you cannot remain indifferent before the suffering of your brothers and sisters: before the poverty, corruption and outrages committed against the truth and human rights. You must be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Matthew 5:13-14). Thus the Lord says once more to us today: “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:16). Juan Diego too shines before you, raised by the Church to the honors of the altar; we can invoke him as the protector and the advocate of the indigenous peoples.”




Prayer to Saint Juan Diego

You who were chosen by Our Lady of Guadalupe as an instrument to show your people and the world that the way of Christianity is one of love, compassion, understanding, values, sacrifices, repentance of our sins, appreciation and respect for God's creation, and most of all one of HUMILITY and obedience. You who we know is now in the Kingdom of the Lord and close to our Mother, be our angel and protect us, stay with us as we struggle in this modern life not knowing most of the time where to set our priorities. Help us to pray to our God to obtain the gifts of the Holy Spirit and use them for the good of humanity and the good of our Church, through the Heart of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Heart of Jesus. Amen.



Blessed Juan, you faced the skepticism and rejection of a bishop and the crowds to bring Mary's message to Mexico. Pray for us that when we are faced with obstacles to our faith we may show that same courage and commitment. Amen.

Lord God,
hrough Saint Juan Diego
You made known the love of Our Lady of Guadalupe
toward Your people.
Grant by his intercession
that we who follow the counsel of Mary, our Mother,
may strive continually to do Your will.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.



Year 2: Day 343 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Unity within the Church; Humility and Obedience; For all those who are marginalized, maligned, and mistreated.

Requested Intentions: Blessings upon a relationship (M); Sobriety and recovery for a son (M); Employment and successful marriage (A); Employment, healing, freedom from anxiety (T); Financial security (C); Conversion (T); Peace in difficult times at work (E); Financial security and blessings for mother and children (T); Financial security for a mother (M); Health, finances, successful marriage (A); Successful resolution of court case for son (K); Continued sobriety (N); Healing of a chronic health condition (B); Successful employment (A): Peace in a family, recovery of a niece from substance use (L); Blessings on a marriage, healing of a husband (P); For the health and recovery of sisters (B); For a daughter and granddaughter (D); Blessings on overseas employment (M); Healing of mother (L); Successful employment for husband (G); Successful employment, personal fulfillment (C); Health and recovery of ill sister (A); Resolution of legal issues; Grace and protection (E); Successful and meaningful employment (S); Restoration of a marriage (A).

Today, December 12, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As we read on December 9, in 1531, a native Mexican, Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, rose before dawn to walk fifteen miles to daily Mass in what is now Mexico City. Juan lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. That morning would change his life, as Our Blessed Mother—Our Lady of Guadalupe-- would appear to him, bringing a maternal message of hope, love, compassion and grace.


On December 9, as Juan was climbing Tepeyac Hill, he heard beautiful, heavenly music, and saw a glowing cloud encircled by a rainbow. A woman’s voice called to him from the top of the hill, urging him upward. Upon arrival, he saw a beautiful young woman, dressed as an Aztec princess. From the first translation of the accounts of that day: “Approaching her presence, he marveled greatly at her superhuman grandeur; her garments were shining like the sun; the cliff where she rested her feet, pierced with glitter, resembling an anklet of precious stones, and the earth sparkled like the rainbow. The mezquites, nopales, and other different weeds, which grow there, appeared like emeralds, their foliage like turquoise, and their branches and thorns glistened like gold.”


Our Blessed Mother said to Saint Juan Diego: “Juanito, the most humble of my sons, where are you going?”

He replied: “My Lady and Child, I have to reach your church in Mexico, Tlatilolco, to pursue things divine, taught and given to us by our priests, delegates of Our Lord.”

She then spoke to him of her desires and purpose for appearing to him: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows. And to accomplish what my clemency pretends, go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico, and you will say to him that I manifest my great desire, that here on this plain a temple be built to me; you will accurately relate all you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. Be assured that I will be most grateful and will reward you, because I will make you happy and worthy of recompense for the effort and fatigue in what you will obtain of what I have entrusted. Behold, you have heard my mandate, my humble son; go and put forth all your effort.”

Juan Diego left her, reporting immediately to the bishop’s residence, where he informed Father Juan de Zumarraga, a recently arrived Franciscan religious, of the events of the morning. After a significant wait, he was allowed to speak to the bishop, who was kind (but skeptical), and sent him away.

Disheartened, Juan returned to the Tepeyac Hill, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to him again. Prostrate before her, he apologized for his inability to carry out her request. She smiled upon him, radiant like the sun, and gently said:

“Hark, my son the least, you must understand that I have many servants and messengers, to whom I must entrust the delivery of my message, and carry my wish, but it is of precise detail that you yourself solicit and assist and that through your mediation my wish be complied. I earnestly implore, my son the least, and with sternness I command that you again go tomorrow and see the bishop. You go in my name, and make known my wish in its entirety that he has to start the erection of a temple which I ask of him. And again tell him that I, in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, sent you.”

Again, Saint Juan Diego agreed to do as he was told, first going home to rest. The following day, he would again visit the bishop. Early the next morning, he returned to the city, seeking audience with the bishop. Again, he was made to wait, this time his sadness and anxiety at not being able to immediately carry out the request of Our Lady reducing him to tears. The bishop, upon seeing his reaction, agreed to meet with him, asking him questions, and remaining skeptical. At the conclusion of the meeting, the bishop requested a sign from the Lady, to prove her identity.

Saint Juan returned to the hill, and again was graced with an appearance from Our Blessed Mother. Upon recounting the bishop’s request, she said to him:

“Well and good, my little dear, you will return here tomorrow, so you may take to the bishop the sign he has requested. With this he will believe you, and in this regard he will not doubt you nor will he be suspicious of you; and know, my little dear, that I will reward your solicitude and effort and fatigue spent of my behalf. Lo! Go now. I will await you here tomorrow.”

Saint Juan Diego returned home, full of joy, as his moments with the Blessed Virgin always left him. Upon arriving home, he was informed that his uncle was ill, and unlikely to live. It was requested that he return to the city in the morning to bring a priest to the home to administer the last sacraments. In the morning, Juan hurried to do so, arriving at Tepeyac Hill, and attempting to skirt it, so as not to be detained by Our Blessed Mother (as time was of the essence). As he was taking an alternate route along the base of the hill, he witnessed Our Lady of Guadalupe descend from above, as if on a cloud, glancing upward to where they typically met. She approached him at the side of the hill and said to him: “What’s there, my son the least? Where are you going?”

Ashamed, Saint Juan explained the situation, and the reason why he had not kept his “appointment” with her that morning. Smiling, the Blessed Virgin answered: “Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is 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 by anything. Do not be afflicted by the illness of your uncle, who will not die now of it. Be assured that he is now cured.” Upon returning home later that day, Juan was overjoyed to discover that his uncle was, indeed, completely cured of his illness.

Hearing Our Lady’s response, Juan humbly requested the sign the bishop had asked for, so that he might take it to him and prove her identity. Our Blessed Mother requested that he climb to the top of the hill, where they had first met. She said: “Climb, my son the least, to the top of the hill; there where you saw me and I gave you orders, you will find different flowers. Cut them, gather them, assemble them, then come and bring them before my presence.”

Saint Juan Diego did as he was told, although given that it was winter, he was certain that there would be no flowers in bloom. Moreover, the top of Tepeyac Hill was exposed to the elements, and generally the only things that grew there were weeds and thorny plants. Nonetheless, obediently, he climbed to the top of the hill, amazed to find it covered with the most beautiful, glistening roses of every sort imaginable. Recognizing them as a gift of Our Mother, he carefully cut them, placing them in his tilma—a coarse cloak he wore for warmth—and returned to where Mary awaited him.

She said to him: “My son the least, this diversity of roses is the proof and the sign which you will take to the bishop. You will tell him in my name that he will see in them my wish and that he will have to comply to it. You are my ambassador, most worthy of all confidence. Rigorously I command you that only before the presence of the bishop will you unfold your mantle and disclose what you are carrying. You will relate all and well; you will tell that I ordered you to climb to the hilltop, to go and cut flowers; and all that you saw and admired, so you can induce the prelate to give his support, with the aim that a temple be built and erected as I have asked.”

Saint Juan hurried to the bishop’s residence, his tilma laden with the precious flowers of Our Blessed Mother. He was again made to wait, and finally the bishop’s attendants demanded that he reveal the contents he was carrying. Juan Diego slowly opened his tilma, and the fragrance and beauty of the flowers overwhelmed those present. Some tried to take the flowers, to show the bishop, but their every attempt was foiled, as upon reaching for them, the flowers would appear to be drawn on the cloth, but when their hands were removed, would again appear in three-dimensions. Realizing the miraculous nature of the flowers, they quickly ushered him into the bishop’s chamber.

Saint Juan recounted the story to the bishop, and opening his tilma, let the flowers (Castilian roses, which do not grown in Mexico) fall to the ground. Left on the cloak was a glowing image of Our Lady, as she had appeared to Juan. Soon after, a church was built on the site where our Lady appeared, and thousands converted to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the patroness of the Americas.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe which appeared on the tilma of Saint Juan Diego has been examined repeatedly by scientists, historians, and art experts. No plausible explanation—other than the supernatural blessings of Our Blessed Mother—has been offered to explain this remarkable image. After 450 years, the tilma shows no signs of deterioration, despite the fact that it is made from a coarse fabric of the cactus plant which normally disintegrates in 20-60 years. Artist historians have discovered that there is no sketch beneath the image, no protective coating, and microscopic examination proves there are no brush strokes. The image is smooth, like a photograph (despite pre-dating photography by 300 years), and appears to increase in size and color when examined. No accurate reproduction has been possible, either by brush or camera. When examined closely, several images are clearly visible in reflected in the eyes of the Virgin, including Saint Juan Diego. Moreover, miraculously, the stars depicted exactly match the configuration and placement of the constellations which would have been present in the sky on December 12, 1531!

Our Lady of Guadalupe revealed to the world her maternal love, her protection, her solace and comfort, and her grace and clemency. We turn to Our Blessed Mother today, placing our lives in her hands, begging her pity and protection, her grace, and her love. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!



Pope John Paul II’s Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church!, who from this place reveal your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer.


Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hidden and silent sacrifice, to you, who come to meet us sinners, we dedicate on this day all our being and all our love. We also dedicate to you our life, our work, our joys, our infirmities and our sorrows. Grant peace, justice and prosperity to our peoples; for we entrust to your care all that we have and all that we are, our Lady and Mother. We wish to be entirely yours and to walk with you along the way of complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ in His Church; hold us always with your loving hand.


Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we pray to you for all the Bishops, that they may lead the faithful along paths of intense Christian life, of love and humble service of God and souls. Contemplate this immense harvest, and intercede with the Lord that He may instill a hunger for holiness in the whole people of God, and grant abundant vocations of priests and religious, strong in the faith and zealous dispensers of God’s mysteries.

Grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, protect our families, so that they may always be united, and bless the upbringing of our children.


Our hope, look upon us with compassion, teach us to go continually to Jesus and, if we fall, help us to rise again, to return to Him, by means of the confession of our faults and sins in the Sacrament of Penance, which gives peace to the soul.


We beg you to grant us a great love for all the holy Sacraments, which are, as it were, the signs that your Son left us on earth.


Thus, Most Holy Mother, with the peace of God in our conscience, with our hearts free from evil and hatred, we will be able to bring to all true joy and true peace, which come to us from your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever.Amen.





Day 346 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Reliance on Our Blessed Mother; Confidence in her love.
Requested Intentions: For a return to health for a friend (C); Healing from cancer of a brother-in-law (C); Healthy relationship; Joy in everyday life (J); Successful employment and financial assistance for education (M); For the return home of father and husband suffering from mental illness (C); Successful passing of examination; Employment for Son (J); Healing of a family and son (S); Successful marriage (G); End to husband’s addictions; Son’s employment (M); Freedom from financial burdens (M); Healing after a miscarriage (E); For healing of friend; successful resolution of legal matter (A); For unity between estranged friends (E); For a son, falsely arrested (C); Successful employment (J); Successful employment (L); For a healthy child (L); Recovery from stomach illness of a friend (A); Employment and financial security (E); Conversion of sons (L); Freedom from financial stress, employment (C); Spiritual growth and family peace (A); Freedom to immigrate (D); End to debt (N); Restoration of a marriage (J); Complete recovery of son (P); Recovery of parish priest, health of mother, conversion of son (J); Successful employment, end to depression (J); Successful immigration and employment (S); Conversion of an unloving daughter (M); Recovery of husband, health of mother, economic freedom (R); Freedom from depression, restoration of family relationships (N); Restoration of a relationship (J); Healing of friends from cancer (J); Complete healing of a friend with pancreatic cancer (J); Healing of a father following stroke (S).