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University of Mary to Celebrate The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12

Presented by University of Mary

December 12, 2011

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In the early 16th century, 1519 to be precise, the capital city of the Aztec empire, Mesoamerica, Mexico, fell to Spanish forces. A decade or so later, 9 million people from that area, who for centuries practiced a spirituality often characterized by panentheism (a strong emphasis on the importance of personal spirituality and its inter-connectivity with one's own daily life, and a deep connection between the natural and spiritual 'worlds'). But what persuaded so many people to make this incredible and historic acceptance of Christianity?

In 1531 a “Lady from Heaven” appeared to a Native American peasant named Juan Diego, on a hill in the Tepeyac desert near Mexico City. She identified herself as the “ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live.” Then she requested that a church be built on the spot where they were standing. During a second encounter with the woman, Diego told her the bishop needed proof. In response, she told Diego to take the bishop the roses that were growing behind him. He placed them in his poncho and when he opened it to show the bishop, there was an image of the lady imprinted miraculously on the native’s tilma. Today, this poncho, made of a poor-quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated after 20 years, but still shows no sign of decay almost 500 years later and defies all scientific explanation of its origin. The image even reflects in the “Lady from Heaven’s” eyes in 1531.

A list of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed to Her. Yearly, 18 to 20 million people visit the Basilica, making it Christianity’s most-visited sanctuary.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on Dec. 12. This year, on that day, the public is invited to join the University of Mary and the Bismarck-Mandan Hispanic Community at Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, at 6 p.m. for a Eucharistic Mass presided by Father James Shea celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe — the patron saint of the Americas. Those interested in singing in Spanish for Mass are asked to arrive at 5 p.m. for rehearsal.