Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

 Old Adobe Mission ― Scottsdale, Arizona

According to tradition the Blessed Virgin appeared to a fifty-five-year-old peasant named Juan Diego, who was hurrying to hear Mass in Mexico City, on Saturday, December 9, 1531.

She sent him to Bishop Zumarraga to ask that a temple be built on the spot where she stood.

She was at the same place that evening and Sunday evening to get the bishop's answer. 

After cross-questioning Juan, the bishop ordered him to ask for a sign from the lady who had said she was the Mother of God. 

Juan was occupied all Monday with Bernardino, an uncle, who seemed dying of fever. On Tuesday, December 12th, the grieved nephew had to run for a priest and, to avoid the apparition, slipped around where the chapel now stands. But the Blessed Virgin crossed down to meet him and said, 

"What road is this thou takes, son?" A tender dialogue ensued. Reassuring Juan about his uncle-whom at that instant she cured and in an apparition to him also called herself Holy Mary of Guadalupe-she bade him go again to the bishop. Without hesitating he joyously asked for a sign. She told him to go up to the rocks and gather roses. 

He knew it was neither the time nor the place for roses, but he obeyed. Gathering the roses into the long cloak worn by Mexican Indians, he returned to the Blessed Mother, who rearranged them and warned him to keep them untouched and unseen till he reached the bishop. 

When he arrived at the bishop's home, Juan unfolded his cloak and the roses fell out. Startled to see the bishop and his attendants kneeling before him, he looked at the cloak and saw glowing there the life-sized figure of the Virgin Mother, just as he had described her. 

The picture was venerated in the bishop's chapel and soon after carried in procession to the first shrine.  Today, unscathed by time the cloak continues in it's veneration by millions of faithful Catholics from around the world. 

INDULGENCED PRAYER

Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, make intercession for holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke you in their necessities, and since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, burning charity and the precious gift of final perseverance.  Amen.

Photos - Old Adobe Mission
Scottsdale, Arizona