The Church celebrates the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Have you ever felt starved for comfort? Or in need of a safe place to land? Our Lady of Guadalupe has a spiritual shoulder for all her children to rest on. During an apparition to Saint Juan Diego 491 years ago, she left us a message; “Let not your heart be disturbed”. Our Lady of Guadalupe can be this place of peace and rest for all hearts.
The Psalmist writes “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul” (Psalm 131). Our Lady of Consolation, Comfort of the Afflicted, Refuge of Sinners, is here with us to be our mother. She appeared in Guadalupe with to deliver this message to each of us; “Let not your heart be disturbed…Am I not here who am your Mother?”
During a time of confusion and stress in Saint Juan Diego's life, Our Lady of Guadalupe came to bring him a message of hope. He was struggling to see beyond his uncle's illness and even his misunderstanding with the local bishop. Our Lady renewed his sense of hope and gave him reason to see beyond the immediate, temporal struggles by showing him a place for his heart to rest; her own Immaculate Heart.
In the safety of your own heart, take a moment to reach out to your mother now. Let her sit with you, be with you. Let her presence still your heart and allow you to rest.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.