An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association December 9 – First apparition at Guadalupe (Mexico, 1531) Are you not happily within my fold? Image from http://guadalupe.com/our-lady-of-guadalupe-gallery-of-images/ Twelve years after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in 1531 in Mexico, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a 57-year-old Aztec, and said, among other things: “…I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth.” “I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows.” “And to accomplish what my clemency pretends, go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico, and you will say to him that I manifest my great desire, that here on this plain a temple be built to me; you will accurately relate all you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. Be assured that I will be most grateful and will reward you, because I will make you happy and worthy of recompense for the effort and fatigue in what you will obtain of what I have entrusted. Behold, you have heard my mandate, my humble son; go and put forth all your effort.” “Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.” Source: The Nican Mopohua, first published in 1649 by Luis Lasso de la Vega, www.sancta.org Adapted from Jean Mathiot, Chrétiens Magazine #282, October 2015 www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.