Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration 12/12

“A great sign appeared in the sky,

a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon at her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
Revelation 12:1 ¹²

Our Lady of Guadalupe appears when the culture and the people are in one of the most difficult times in history, the Spanish conquest of Mexico had taken place a few years before, and when the Aztecs would sacrifice the poorest of their people in religious rituals.  In such fear and confusion, Guadalupe offers hope when they need her most.

Our Lady appeared to a modest Aztec peasant, Juan Diego, in December 1531 at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. She introduced herself as the “Virgin Mary” and various times she appears and requests a sacred home, a sanctuary to be built for all people who struggle can call upon her. Our Lady of Guadalupe reconciled the conquest and redeemed the conquered. She drew everyone, Europeans and Indigenous under her blanket of love and from this place of refuge, the ‘Mestizo” race was born. Mexico embraced its Mother and proceeded to honor her with devotion.   Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mirabai Starr

December 12 is the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. Pope John Paul II in 1999 proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe as the Mother of America, refering to the entire American continent… “Our Lady of Guadalupe is God’s very special gift to America.” 

It’s a tradition and I am still amazed to see the faith of people in Mexico as they travel by foot from far away towns, in procession, and for several days just to visit the Shrine – the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.  People perform native dances, in colorful indigenous attires outside the Basilica and people pray fervently while walking on their knees towards the sacred Shrine. At midnight is the High Mass and the Basilica is filled with flowers, mostly roses, and Mariachis are playing and musical artists sing in honor of the ‘Virgencita de Guadalupe’.

Thousands of people gather with their families and friends, at the Basilica to visit and celebrate Our Lady.  People come with such gratefulness for miracles already received, or they bring their petitions and prayers knowing that the Virgin of Guadalupe will favor them in their need.  She is the symbol of love, peace, compassion and never-ending hope. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only the Queen of Mexico, but is an icon in all Latin America and in the Latin world.  I personally have respect and devotion to the Blessed Mother for the blessings I have received during my life. I feel her divine light shines on all of us as we trust and believe in her loving aid and sacred energy. 

You can read more about the significant history of Our Lady of Guadalupe and my Miracle Story under the archives category of Visions of Mary: Lady of Guadalupe and Mary Manifestations, June 25, 2009.

Angel blessings to you. Linda. 

View of Basilica of Guadalupe from Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City

Mary, Queen of the Angels

Mary is portrayed as the Queen of Angels as angels assemble around her in the greatest reverence.

The Queen of Angels has inspired me to honor her divine messages, through my stories. My Mom had great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and always prayed fervently to Mary. My Mom and Mother Mary,  have been appearing in my dreams.

Through the centuries and across the world, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady, Mother Mary, and other glorious names, has appeared to people of every race and cultures, adults and children, from the devoted to the unbelieving. Mary has appeared many times through history, giving divine messages as a loving mother, comforter, and prophet.  Many have witnessed the great miracles of Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje, Guadalupe and many other sites.

Throughout her life Mary lived by God’s will and not her own, and she was favored with such a fullness of Grace.  The flower associated with Mary is the rose; since the rose is the ‘queen’ of flowers, therefore the Rose is the flower of the ‘Queen of Angels’.

People all over the world are becoming more aware of the presence of Mary as they recognize God in their lives.  I believe that divine manifestations, as can be of Saints, Angels and Archangels, Ascended Masters, and Spirit Guides are all divinely presented to us with love, given that we are all part of that spiritual family, they are of our spiritual team.

I feel many of us can identify with Mary because of her fervent love for her son Jesus; and her love and protection for all the children.

Angel Blessings,  Linda

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady appears when we need her most. She leaves no one unaided, she dazzles us with her beauty as her love heals our hearts, and everything becomes joy.

Early on the morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, Indigenous Mexican, saw a vision of a young girl of sixteen, surrounded by light. This event occurred on the slopes of the Hill of Tepeyac.  Speaking in the local language of Nahutl, the Lady asked for a church to be built at that site in her honor. From her words, Juan Diego recognized her as the Virgin Mary.

When he told his story to the Spanish bishop, Fray  Juan de Zumárraga,  the bishop asked him to return and ask the lady for a miraculous sign to prove her claim. The Virgin then asked Juan Diego to gather some flowers from  the top of  Tepeyac Hill, even though it was winter when no flowers bloomed.

There, he found Castillian *roses (which were of the Bishop’s native home, but not indigenous to Tepeyac). And it was winter, no roses had grown before. He gathered them, and the Virgin herself re-arranged them in his tilma, or peasant cloak.

When Juan Diego presented the roses to Fray Zumárraga, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe miracoulusly appeared on the cloth!

Historians believe the icon represents both Virgin Mary and the indigenous Mexican Goddess Tonantzin.  Roses are the flowers associated with Mary. Others believe the Virgin was a simplified version of the Aztec Mother goddess.  Her blue-green mantle was described as the color once reserved for the divine couple Ometecuhtli (dual God) her belt is interpreted as a sign of pregnancy and a cross-shaped image symbolizing the cosmos is said to be inscribed beneath the Lady’s sash.

The miracoulus image of Mary on the tilma has not faded in nearly five hundred years nor has the fabric deteriorated, and it has never been treated with any protective substance. The image on the tilma has been directly exposed to extreme temperatures in the *Basilica, and has been subjected to chemical analysis but defies consistent identification of the substance it is made of.

It is a painting without paint- microscopic observation reveals no brush strokes or outlines. In 1921 a bomb was placed in a flower vase at the base of the image of Guadalupe. The marble rail was shattered, windows in neighboring houses cracked. But the tilma with the image of Our Lady was untouched.

The Nasa has examined photographs enlarged of Guadalupe’s eyes, and found the image of a human being, revealing the outline of a native man on his knees, presumed to be Juan Diego.

Angel Blessings, Linda

 *Roses are the flowers assosciated with the Blessed Virgin Mary

*View Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, from Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City.

Mary Manifestations & My Miracle Story

Our Lady of Guadalupe: My Miracle Story

Mexico City, 1983, while living in Mexico City, my only son at the time would ask me why he didn’t have a brother like most of his friends at school. Iñaki was 6 years old, and I had not been able to conceive another child; doctors were not sure if we might have children again, but I kept the faith and continued with medical tests. I told my son that we would keep asking God to send him a brother or sister, but we would have to be patient. He looked at me and said, – oh no Mommy, if it’s a sister send her back, I want a brother!

December 6 a group of friends and I visited the Villa or Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe) as December 12 is the feast day.   I prayed to Our Lady to send us a miracle, another child, not only because I desired another baby, but mostly my son needed a sibling.  After our visit, we walked outside and vendors were selling flowers and many artisan crafts. I bought roses which inspired me with the visit to the Villa of Guadalupe. I came home and placed the roses near a picture I had of Mary, and continued with life.

A month later, I was scheduled for another medical test, and apparently resulted in me not feeling very well; when I spoke to the doctor he urged me to rest for a few days as he suspected I might be pregnant!  But because of the test (biopsy), I was in risk of losing the baby!  It was such great news but did not tell my son until I was sure the baby was safe. Months later we had a beautiful second son, Jordi, and his brother was happy!  I couldn’t be grateful enough to God and Mother Mary, for the blessing and gift of a healthy baby boy. After Jordi was born we visited the Basilica.

Pope John Paul II and Mother Mary

May 13, 1981 *Pope John Paul II was injured by several shots, and credited Mary for having protected him, and on the first anniversary of the shooting he made a thanksgiving pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

Mary Pilgrimage, Oregon, June 2009 

Just two weeks ago, my angelic friend Jayne H. Feldman was visiting from “Maryland” and we embarked on a Mary pilgrimage.  We were off to find some angel stones Jayne had seen a few years ago here in Oregon. While on our journey, Jayne was telling me about the photograph recently released of  *John Paul II that was taken when the Pope was attacked and was falling down. In the picture he is being embraced by Mother Mary. I told Jayne I would love to see that photo later, because I knew that Pope John Paul had faithful devotion to Mary.

We made a stop at Our Lady of Retreat House where we purchased some gifts, but as we were leaving, I decided to go back in  to use the restroom.  As I walked down a hallway, I glanced to my right, and I couldn’t believe my eyes, there it was…. the picture of Pope John Paul II with Mother Mary, as Jayne had just described earlier!   I stared at this picture for a few minutes in amazement. I asked the person at the reception of the Retreat house where they got the picture of John Paul II, and said she had no idea, but knew that it was a miraculous picture. I affirmed, indeed so!

Among our discoveries was the Historic Queen of Angels Monastery, of the Benedictine Sisters, located where else than in Mount Angel, Oregon.   There in the beautiful monastery, is displayed one of the Sister’s paintings (1882) “Mary, Queen of Angels”.  Not only were we graced in seeing the painting,  but we also ended up going to Mount Angel Seminary and visited the small museum of Greek and Russian Icons, where we came across icons of the Madonna and Child.

MARY’S MESSAGE

So what is the message?  Mary has come from heaven to deliver the message of love and peace.   She has the authority to send out the angels to help us or to protect us. Mary’s Queenship of the angels, therefore, can be considered to be our “shield”, our defense, our armor; to help us restore our integrity, hope and forgiveness. Mary works closely with Archangel Michael during these stressful times and dis-ease, during our grief, and will continue to offer inspiration, peace and healing in our sufferings. She will continue to appear lovingly and compassionately, mostly because we need divine blessings to remember who we are.

Mary is a beautiful messenger of love and she is the perfect spiritual advocate, who knows that when mankind lives in alignment with Divine Spirit, it is then, when we will find that peace and the heavenly Spirit within each of us.   Her maternal guidance is a gift of God to the world.

Queen of the Angels, help me to imitate the Angels by being as eager as they are to do God’s will and to serve mankind. Let me ever consider the Angels as my best friends and protectors, who want to help me during my journey.  I am grateful especially to my Guardian Angel who acompanies me and never wearies in faithful care.  Amen.

Angel Blessings,  Linda

Lady of Perpetual Help

As Mother of Perpetual Help she helps and sends us everlasting blessings, and is as a loving mother to all children.  Greek Icon 13^th or 14^th century, Archangel Michael and Archangel Gabriel at her side.

The story of this Icon is one of the most unusual and involved stories of the many Marian shrines and miraculous images throughout the world.  The painting originally came from the island of Crete where it had been venerated for a number of years.  The earliest written account is from an old document-plaque written in Latin and Italian which was placed before the Icon in the church of St. Matthew where it was first venerated in Rome in March of 1499.

Some two years before that a merchant in Crete, who was returning to Rome took the picture just before sailing and hid it among his belongings.  Some think he might have taken it to save it from possible profanation or destruction from marauding Turks, but the document says that he simply stole it.  While at sea, a life-threatening storm arose and everyone on board thought their end was near.  The sailors, not knowing of the presence of the concealed icon on board, prayed loudly to Our Lady for help.  Against all odds, the vessel safely reached Italy.  It would appear, as subsequent events showed, that Our Lady definitely wanted this Icon in Rome.

Angel Blessings,

Linda.

Heart of Mary

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

    People in ancient times were early attracted by the love and virtues of Mary, symbolized by her heart.  Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary she is referred to as pure love, decisive and unrelenting.     

   The icon of the Immaculate Heart of Mary beautifully depicts the traditional symbolism of the Divine Heart of being.