- by Rev. Patrick O'Dea -

I must admit that having Jose Gonzalez, a student from Mexico, on the Student Campus Ministry Team this year, at the Newman Centre, has made all the difference in how I intend to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on December 12th.Jose, and another parishioner who is assisting him,asked if I might consider highlighting this feast in a greater and more visible way this year and I am only too happy to oblige.

Why this sudden burst of enthusiasm for a feast we rarely celebrate with much attention? Perhaps it is because this student and his friend have provided me with additional insight into how this feast can have greater relevance for our Advent celebrations and preparation for Christmas. The fact that this feast just happens to fall in Advent should be enough to make us curious. Yet, it can really speak to our time. Is it not true that perhaps some may assume this feast seems to have relevance for only the peoples of Mexico or South America? Jose thinks not, and I must agree. Perhaps a brief reminder of how this feast begun might be of help.

In the year 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec convert at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City.She questions, "Where are you going?"His life was suddenly disrupted by God through Mary. She invited Juan to ask the bishop to build a church where the prayers of the oppressed, the excluded may be heard; where compassion may be shown to them. The bishop, however,
demanded proof, a sign.Mary directed Juan Diego to the top of the hill in order to pick roses; although out of season , he finds them blooming. He is instructed to carry them in his tilma (cloak) to the bishop.As the roses fall to the floor, in front of the bishop, animage of Mary appears on the tilma. It is a sign for the bishop, yet a sign he did not expect.

The image of Mary that appeared has since become for many, a rich symbolism for Advent. Mary the mother of our Lord is represented as an
Aztec woman, not of the elite, the privileged but as one of the poor, the excluded, the powerless.The image is evocative of the beautiful verses from both the Old and New Testament.In Zechariah 2: 14-17, we hear, "Sing, rejoice daughter of Zion; for I am coming to dwell in the middle of you. "In Revelation 12:1, we hear, "Now a great sign appeared in heaven; a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with twelve stars on her head for a crown."Our Lady of Guadalupe's message can also be seen in the reality of the gospel.In Luke 1: 48-49, we hear, "Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done good things for me. Holy is His name, and His mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear Him."

In modern times, speaking about this feast, and its significance for Advent, the late Pope Paul VI once remarked: "…(in) approaching Christmas. We all know how much this involves by way of preparation.It is a feast that gives rise to humanitarian thoughts, and feelings of joy and peace. The children, the poor, the unfortunate are in the minds of all.This is one of the most heartening and praiseworthy aspects of our society. It educates us in a spirit of brotherhood, and so to an awareness of the needs and the sufferings of others. We must include in our Christmas planning some genuine reflection on Christ in the manger and a resolution and social renewal. He himself came among us as one who was lowly, humble, poor. At the same time, he was
the Messiah who redeemed us from every moral misery, as well as the prophet of hope of the kingdom of heaven."

Our Lady of Guadalupe's message of Christ's presence among us is not just to Juan Diego, or to the mestizo church which was soon to emerge, or to the Americas but it has significance for all people. Her message does not exclude. That message should continue to challenge us all.

 

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