[MaryVitamin] The Bishop and the Image

St. Juan Diego shows the flowers to bishop Zumárraga and in that very moment the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on his "tilma."

Mary Vitamin for December 12^th

 

Topic: The Bishop and the Image

 

Quote:

St. Alphonsus di Liguori

"Let us not think it too much to visit our Queen every day in some church or chapel, or even in our own house, where for this purpose it would be well to have in a retired part of a little oratory, with her image, which should be kept decorated with drapery, flowers, tapers, or lamps; and before it we should also recite her litany, the rosary, etc."

The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books: 1978), 515

 

Meditation:

The Franciscan bishop of Mexico City, the Basque Juan de Zumarraga was well past his fiftieth birthday when he arrived in the New World.  The voyage to New Spain was an arduous sea trip culminating with a 200 mile walk from Veracruz to Mexico City. Bishop Zumarraga experienced significant resistance in his practice of "Defender of the Indians" by the Spanish in charge who were conducting a slave trade with the Indians. His time in Mexico was full of trials. (See William H. Carroll's Guadalupe book, Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Conquest of Darkness).

 

What can we learn from the holy Bishop Zumarraga's initial reaction to the Image on St. Juan Diego's Tilma?

 

When the bishop saw the image, he and all who were present fell to their knees. She was greatly admired. They arose to see her; they shuddered and, with sorrow, they demonstrated that they contemplated her with their hearts and minds. The bishop, with sorrowful tears, prayed and begged forgiveness for not having attended her wish and request. When he rose to his feet, he untied from Juan Diego's neck the cloth on which appeared the Image of the Lady from heaven. Then he took it to be placed in his chapel. Juan Diego remained one more day in the bishop's house, at his request.

http://www.sancta.org/nican.html

 

Resolution:

What did Bishop Zumarraga say to Our Lady in his prayers that first night the Image reposed in his chapel? Today I will put a little offering (a flower or a note) in front of Our Lady's image. I will try to imitate the profound gratitude demonstrated by Bishop Zumarraga.  

 

Marian Vow:

"The Crucifix, so dear to the Seraphic Father, should occupy the principal place in the rooms, and an image of the Madonna is to be given a place of prominence in the house, as most amiable "Queen of the family", together with that of St. Joseph, its most valiant protector."

Marian Seraphic Pathways, Constitutions #47a

 

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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