December 13th , 2009
Our Lady of Guadalupe
This is the weekend where we have big celebrations of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Special masses...a grand procession through the streets of New Cassel and Westbury...traditional native dances...fiestas. For those of hispanic heritage (and especially those from Mexico), this feast needs no introduction. But since I grew up on Long Island without an association with the latino spiritual traditions, Our Lady of Guadalupe was “just another of those nice Mary feasts,” that came and went throughout the year.
Over the years I have come to understand more fully why this feast is important to us. One thing to consider is that of all the apparitions of Mary that have taken place throughout the world, Mary’s appearance to a humble Mexican peasant (St. Juan Diego) is the only apparition to take place on American soil. Thus the church celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe as the “patroness of the Americas.”
But there is something wonderful and profound in the story of her appearance. Juan Diego was a poor indian peasant -- not educated, and in fact a newcomer to Christianity as he was baptized at the age of 50. When he was 57 he was walking to Mass (a journey that took hours) when Mary interrupted his journey to send him to the bishop to say that she wanted a church built. The bishop was part of the powerful conquering Spanish empire which brought Christianity to the Americas. So while a lot of local natives were baptized (sometimes at the pain of death), many still considered the Christian faith to be only for the rich, powerful conquerors.
The fact that Mary came to a native peasant was a powerful sign to the native population that Mary was their mother and that they were to follow her to Jesus.
The bishop and his court ignored Juan Diego. When they finally heard his story, they sent him away, demanding proof. He returned and opened his cloak. Though it was winter, out fell fresh roses (there were no tele-florists back then!!) and the now famous image of our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted on his cloak. The bishop was convinced and the church (building) was built. But more importantly, the native indians were convinced and the church (the people) was built. A good reason to celebrate this Feast this weekend.
