Dec. 9th - St. Juan Diego

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Juan Diego. At the age of 50, he and his wife, María Lucía, were among the first to be baptized after the arrival of the main group of twelve Franciscan missionaries in Mexico in 1524. It is variously reported that after their baptism he and his wife were inspired by a sermon on chastity to live celibately. His wife died two years before the apparitions.

He worked as a farmer, laborer and weaver. He deeply loved the Eucharist and asked special permission to receive Holy Communion three times a week, which was unusual at that time. He walked 15 miles to go to Mass.

All of us know the story of Mary’s apparitions to him in Mexico. She left of Her glorious image on his tilma. This true miracle happened Dec. 9^th, 1531. Our Lady wanted a church to be built on the sight of the apparitions, and this miracle was the proof needed by the bishop of Mexico City, that Mary really appeared to Juan Diego. In addition to the miraculous image, Juan also had gathered Castilian roses on the top of the mountain, which are not native to Mexico and do not grow in the winter.

After the apparitions of Mary, Juan Diego received permission from the bishop to live as a hermit (as a monk that lives in isolation). He lived in a small hut near the chapel built on the hill of Tepeyac. He cared for the church and the pilgrims, who came to see the miraculous image and pray to the Mother of Jesus. Everyone was impressed with his holiness. Parents used to bless their children with the wish, “May God make you like Juan Diego.”

As we continue Advent preparation for Christmas, let us ask St. Juan Diego, to help us to turn Our Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, for our every concern. Our Lady touches us, by Her love, as we fly to Her protection, expressed in the beautiful hymn dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe: “You are the fountain of my life. Under the shadow of Your protection! I fear no evil, no pain, no worry! O Maria! O Most Merciful Mother! Gentle Virgin! With the name, Guadalupe. On a mountain, we find roses in winter. And all the world has been touched by your love.”