On Thursday, Catholics celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a feast day that dates back to the 16th century.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas, unborn children, and the New Evangelization. Large, lively celebrations of her feast day are widespread in these regions. Our Lady of Guadalupe is unlike any other apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, because she was the only apparition where Our Lady left a miraculous image of herself unmade by human hands, and also the only universally venerated Madonna and Child image where Our Lady appears pregnant instead of holding the Infant Jesus. Click here to watch a short video of Lady of Guadalupe from the USCCB.
Invoking her intercession, several chairmen of committees of the USCCB offered a reflection:
“Though we so often distinguish ourselves through borders, races, languages, political ideals, and so many other possible sources of division, Our Lady’s patronage is a powerful reminder that we are all called to be one in Christ Jesus, beginning from the moment of our conception. At this time, when some of our brothers and sisters are experiencing fear and anxiety, we are reminded of the abiding words of Our Lady to Saint Juan Diego: ‘Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?’”
Click here for the full reflection.