Saint Juan Diego

It was on this day in 1531 that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. She wished that a church be built on this site and a sign would be provided so the bishop would give his blessing. Juan Diego gathered roses in his tilma or cloak and went to the bishop. When the tilma was unfolded the image of Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe was imprinted on it. What a beautiful miracle and the church now sits on that location, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Even though Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12, we can begin our celebrations now as we remember Saint Juan Diego. As we celebrate this memorial, I think back with fondness to the last Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention that I attended as the State Chaplain of Kansas. The Supreme Convention was held in Phoenix, Arizona. Following the convention a Guadalupe Festival was held and the focus was on Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. At the closing prayer service, a relic of Saint Juan Diego was brought in and placed around the statue of Our Lady. Those bishops and priests who were present for the Guadalupe Festival received a beautiful chausible with Our Lady of Guadalupe printed on the front and the Knights of Columbus logo on the back. It was a beautiful gift and I wore it for Mass this morning. Once again, we thank God for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her title, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pray that Saint Juan Diego will intercede for us that our faith and trust will be strong because those are gifts that he lived in his own life. Saint Juan Diego, pray for us!!!