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

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 12:1)

And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
(Lk 1:43)

In 1531, the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Cuauhtlatoatzin (baptized as Juan Diego) was the impetus for the evangelization of the Americas. The fruits of this moment live on in the faith of the native peoples of these lands and their descendants. A dear friend (non-Hispanic) once said to me: “This is the only apparition about which I have no doubts.” What the Lady said to Cuauhtlatoatzin was very simple, “I am your loving mother.” But she appeared to him as one like himself and speaking his language. And even now, the Lady of Guadalupe continues to be the loving mother of all the disciples of her Son.