Episode 07: Mary, Mother of God
St. Juan Diego Sees Mary
An opening mediation
“If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady, just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit, this prayer has never failed me.”
(Taken from USCCB Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 12)
St. Juan Diego, a native of Mexico, was born in 1474 and given the name Cuauhtlatoatzin. At his Baptism,which took place around 1525, he received the Christian name Juan Diego. On December 9, 1531, while he was walking to Mass, Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill, northwest of what is now Mexico City. Her appearance was that of a mestizo woman in both features and dress,and she spoke to Juan Diego in his own language. Mary asked "Juanito" to go to the local bishop and request that he build a church on the site of her appearance. The bishop, reluctant to believe Juan Diego, asked for a sign.
Before Juan Diego could return to the hill, he learned that his uncle was dying. Concerned that he would die without the grace of the last Sacraments, Juan Diego hurried to bring a priest to his dying uncle's bedside. However, Mary met him on his route, told him that his uncle had been cured, and instructed Juan Diego to return to the hill to gather flowers as a sign for the bishop. Though it was out of season, he found roses, wrapped them in his cloak, or tilma, and returned to the bishop. When Juan Diego unfolded his tilma, the roses fell out, and both he and the bishop were astounded to discover the image of Mary on the cloak looking exactly as Juan Diego had described her.
The tilma that bore Mary's image soon became an object of veneration. In 1533 a small chapel was built on the site of the apparitions to house the cloak with its miraculous image. Today, just below Tepeyac Hill stands the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where the tilma can be seen just as it was seen by the bishop in 1531. The church is a triumph of contemporary architecture incorporating many facets of Mexican culture and spirituality, and it creates a warm, prayerful, and welcoming environment. Pilgrims, on foot or on their knees, often bearing roses, slowly process to the enshrined image. They come to ask favors of the merciful Mother or to give thanks for her tender and compassionate response to their prayers. A moving walkway for pedestrians is set behind and beneath the sanctuary so that pilgrims can get a closer look at the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe displayed on the sanctuary wall. Despite the constant river of pilgrims, the shrine is quiet and meditative. The crowds are not a distraction to those who come to worship in the body of the basilica.
Pilgrims still climb to the top of Tepeyac Hill to visit the original chapel and the site of the apparitions. They can also visit the room where Juan Diego spent his last years in prayer and in propagating the account of the apparitions to his countrymen. Through Mary under the title of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" and through the evangelizer St. Juan Diego, many of the native peoples of Mexico were converted to Christianity and were baptized into the Church. As a place of pilgrimage, this shrine ranks among the most popular in the world, attracting over ten million pilgrims each year.
Mary appeared at Tepeyac as a young, pregnant woman of indigenous descent. She revealed herself as Mary, the true Mother of God, a merciful mother who listens to the suffering of her people and consoles them all. As her image was imprinted on Juan Diego's tilma, so Mary becomes imprinted in the deepest recesses of the hearts of all who come to her. Under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mary is the patroness of the Americas. There are millions of Catholics in the United States whose devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and regard for St. Juan Diego help keep our faith and commitment to evangelization alive. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12.
Pope John Paul II beatified Juan Diego in 1990. In 2002 the same pope canonized him at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Church celebrates the feast of St. Juan Diego on December 9.
St. Juan Diego is in the company of numerous others who have been privileged with a vision of the Virgin Mary, such as St. Bernadette of Lourdes, France, and the three children, Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia, of Fatima, Portugal. These visionaries loved the Virgin Mary. Their lives of faith and the gift of God's graces have drawn millions closer to Christ. Jacinta and Francisco were beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 13, 2000. Lucia, a nun in Coimbra, Portugal, attended the ceremony.
These may sound like fanciful stories of the supernatural, but Marian apparitions are a powerful testament to the mystery of faith. Each of these apparitions has had a profound impact on the church. As a result of Mary's appearance on Earth, millions of people have converted to Catholicism, huge cathedrals have been erected at the sites of her appearance, such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and hundreds of millions of pilgrims have visited sites such as Lourdes, France were miraculous healing have been known to occur.
These appearances have also occurred in modern times with the appearance of Mary in 1917 to a group of three children, Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia) in Fatima Portugal. Mary appeared to them several times. During one of these appearances, Mary gave the three children a vision of Hell and on a subsequent appearance encouragement to pray the rosary daily. The Fatima prayer in the Rosary is believed to be taught by Mary directly to these three children. The Fatima Prayer is "O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, take all souls to Heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy."
Word of these apparitions spread and on Oct 13th, 1917 between 30,000 and 100,000 people flocked to the site of these apparitions as word had spread that on this day Mary had promised the children a miracle. Reports from that day tell of the "Miracle of the Sun", describing how the sun "danced" in the sky casting many colors across the sky. The Church investigated these apparitions and officially declared the visions as "worthy of belief" in 1930.
Marian apparitions are considered to be private revelations and therefore Catholics are not required to believe in them. However for those who are willing to open themselves up to the possibility that supernatural events like these are possible, these apparitions of Mary, according to the encyclical Lumen Gentium, show how Mary still actively "cares for the brethren of her son who still journey on earth."
Weekly
Prayer
Intentions
To be prayed daily
Pause for some silence
Pause for some silence
The Sign of the Cross
Start by touching your right hand to your forehead, then your stomach, followed by your left and right shoulders while saying "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen"
Salve Regina
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy; Hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious Advocate, Thine eyes of mercy towards us; So that after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Specific intentions:
Lord, help me to say yes to your will as completely as Mary.
Oh my Jesus, forgive us for our sins and save us from the fires of Hell.
Take all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of they mercy.
Personal intentions:
Please add your own intentions here.
Our Father:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Glory Be:
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end, Amen.
Weekly
Journal
Prompt
Weekly Readings
This week we got to know Jesus' 1st disciple, his mother Mary. Her unhesitating "Yes" to God's call is a testament to her complete commitment to her love for God in her perfect act of faith. Mary can be a strong advocate through intercessory prayer for us. Sometimes we find it easier to take our concerns to Mary and ask for her intercession than to pray for our concerns directly to God, because she was like us completely human. How does Mary's humanity impact how you think about the miracles that were performed due to the act of her faith? How can you use Mary's example as a guide to your own call to discipleship of Christ.
Click on the Link to download each of the articles for further reading this week.
Mary, Jesus’ First Disciple
What does it mean to say yes to Christ? Click here to download
The 5 Ms of Mary
What are Mary’s 5 roles in the Church? Click here to download
Mary, Mother of God
Why does God need a mother? Click here to download
The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
Joyful Mystery of the Rosary (Monday & Saturday)
The Annunciation of the Lord to Mary
Mary is chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of our Lord.
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus is born and laid in a manger.
The Presentation of our Lord
Jesus is presented in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Finding Jesus in the Temple at age 12
Jesus is found discussing God's laws in the temple.
Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary (Tuesday & Friday)
The Agony of Jesus in the Garden
Jesus prays when confronted with the sins of the world.
The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is whipped before His execution.
Jesus is Crowned with Thorns
Jesus is mocked with a painful crown of thorns.
Jesus Carried the Cross
Jesus carries the weight of our sins to His crucifixion.
The Crucifixion of our Lord
Jesus Christ dies to save all mankind.
Glorious Mystery of the Rosary (Wednesday & Sunday)
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Jesus rises triumphant over death.
The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
As Jesus ascends, He gives us a special task.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
At Pentecost the Church is born.
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
The Virgin Mary is gloriously assumed into heaven.
Mary is Crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Mary is honored above all creatures.
Luminous Mystery of the Rosary (Thursday)
The Baptism in the Jordan
God proclaims Jesus is His Son.
The Wedding at Cana
Jesus performs a surprising miracle at a wedding.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
Jesus calls us to do something important.
The Transfiguration
Jesus is gloriously transformed.
The Institution of the Eucharist
Jesus shares His Body and Blood for our salvation.
Weekly Activity:
The Rosary
This week your activity is to spend some time with Mary in prayer with the Rosary. The Rosary is the perfect example of how contemplating the mysteries of the most Holy Rosary can lead us back to Mary's son, Jesus Christ.
Rosary Prayers
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead . He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be that name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. Blessed is the Fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be madenworthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
O GOD, WHOSE only-begotten Son by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.