The Guadalupe event of 1531 is the most important occurrence in the entire history of the Americas. The appearance of Our Lady to San Juan Diego and the Franciscan bishop Juan de Zumárraga marked a massive outpouring of grace that crowned the evangelizing efforts of Christopher Columbus, and of the first Spaniards, who had arrived to Montezuma’s kingdom 10 years earlier. Today, the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe continues to confirm the faithful who come to her, bestowing many graces. 

            Our Lady of Guadalupe is patroness not only of Mexico, but of all the Americas. As Pope Pius XII wrote, “For we are certain that as long as You are recognized as Queen and Mother, Mexico and America will be safe.” 

            Enclosed are Rosary meditations written for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, based on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. 

First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead

            The Scriptures tell us, “How beautiful on the Mountain are the feet of those who bring the good news” (Isaiah 52:7). Aware of their weakness, the Spaniards came to the land of Montezuma preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. The friars explained to the people that it was the holy faith that inspired them to come to this land; that Jesus Christ, through whom all was created, suffered and died to save each person from his sins. Christ is now risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father. The friars told the native people to do away with their horrific human sacrifices, their wicked idols, and to worship the one true God. 

            Ten years later, when the wars were over, you, the Immaculate Conception, appeared at Tepeyac to San Juan Diego with the message of peace and mercy: “Know for sure, my dearest, littlest, and youngest son, that I am the perfect and ever Virgin Holy Mother of God of truth, through Whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near us, the Lord of heaven and earth.” 

            Blessed Mother of Guadalupe, give us a faith that will inspire us to do great things for your Son. 

Second Glorious Mystery: Jesus Glorious Ascension into Heaven

            At the Ascension of Our Lord, you, O Mother of God, gave His disciples great hope that they too would go to heaven. 

            Blessed Mother, in your first apparition to San Juan Diego, you came with a message of hope, wanting to lead the people of this land out of superstition and darkness, to light of salvation. You asked to have a little house built to manifest your Son to the people. You said that in your compassion you would give your Son to, “…all the people who live united in this land and of all the other people of different ancestries, my lovers, who love me, those who seek me, those who in trust in me. Here I will hear their weeping, their complaints, and heal all their sorrows, hardships and sufferings.”

            Blessed Mother of Guadalupe, in our weakness give us a more certain hope that you will not abandon us in our trials.  

Third Glorious Mystery: Descent of the Holy Spirit

            When the Apostles were gathered around you at Pentecost, O Mary Ever Virgin, the Holy Spirit rushed down onto the upper room. The Apostles went into the street, and courageously preached, bringing thousands into the Church, “So those who received the word were baptized and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:21). 

            In the land of the Aztecs, the friars had trouble winning converts to the faith. However, once you, Our Mother, appeared to San Juan Diego, miracles abounded for all the people to see. Beyond a doubt, the greatest wonder of all was the conversion of the Aztecs and the neighboring tribes, who suddenly felt moved by the Holy Spirit to receive Baptism and be saved. Eight million souls were received into the Church in less than seven years, the largest mass conversion in history. 

            Blessed Mother of Guadalupe, fill us with the same Holy Spirit and renew the Americas, so that our nations would recognize your Son as our Savior, the Catholic Church as our Mother, and the freedom one enjoys in obeying God’s laws.  

Fourth Glorious Mystery: Assumption to the Blessed Virgin Mary

            At the end of your earthly life, you O Blessed Virgin were assumed, Body and Soul, into heaven. But in God’s providence we your children in exile were not destined to forget the beauty of your countenance. Now your motherly presence in heaven is miraculously preserved on the tilma of Guadalupe. 

            This sacred image is the great portent, “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1). It was not painted by human hands, but by “the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18), a living miracle for us to behold.

            Blessed Mother of Guadalupe, increase our trust that Almighty God is still powerfully working wonders through this miraculous image, and most of all, through the Sacramental elements of water, oil, bread and wine.

Fifth Glorious Mystery: Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

            O Virgin of Guadalupe, as the Mother of Christ the King, you are the Queen in heaven and have a powerful intercessory role to play here on earth. The Divine Majesty providentially gives you the privilege of being Mediatrix of all graces.

             To increase our trust in your powerful intercession, you spoke to San Juan Diego: “Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that disturbs you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing…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 anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.” 

            Blessed Mother of Guadalupe, we fall on our knees this day like the first men who saw the sacred image on Juan Diego’s tilma, and we trust that you are here to help us.