God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121222.cfm
In the year 1531, during the horrors of La Conquista (the Conquest), God gave a sign of favor to the indigenous peoples of the so-called “New World.” The Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous man on the hill of Tepeyac, outside of what would become Mexico City. The Lady spoke in his own language and told him "I am your loving Mother.” In the 10 years following the apparitions, over 11 million indigenous were baptized. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the “patroness of conquered nations and captive peoples.” With more than 20 million visitors yearly, the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe is the most visited Catholic shrine of in the world.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12
