Today, December 12, is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of the Americas.
Take a few moments to consider how often Canada, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Honduras, Haiti and the Caribbean Sea are in the news these days. And consider the poverty and political unrest that pervades so much of this half of the world... There are so many people and so many reasons for us to call on Our Lady of Guadalupe who watches over the Americas through the eyes and heart and the mercy and grace of her son, Jesus...
In 1531 Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico to Cuauhtlatohuac, baptized Juan Diego, a peasant, on whose cloak there appeared an image on the Blessed Virgin as he had seen her in the vision.
*Mi Morenita…
you who took our flesh
by appearing as a Native of the Americas,
you who heed our cry
during our darkest of moments,
you who appeared
accompanied with the
signs of flowers
and the singing of birds,
announcing yourself as the
mother of the Great Truth,
you who praise God through your dance,
you who brought not only a message,
but The Message was in your womb,
My Merciful Mother…
thank you for being light in our darkest moments
and embracing us with your mantle of tenderness;
thank you for wanting to carry us in your heart,
where we can also hear and be close
to the heart of your Son;
thank you for accompanying us
as we labor in God’s vineyard
when you tell us
as you told Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin:
"Am I not here, who am your Mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not the source of your joy?
Are you not in the hollow of my mandle,
in the crossing of my arms?
Do you need something more?"
**Mi Madrecita Querida…
help us obtain from your Son,
the
grace to always direct our gaze
where the dignity of our brothers and
sisters
is being violated;
help us obtain from your Son,
the grace
to become messengers of The Truth
when so many lies try to blind us
to suffering;
help our lives become a dance
that praises, reverences and serves God
with our whole beings.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
*Morenita is a term of endearment for a dark skinned woman
** Madrecita Querida means "My dearest Mother"
And a song!
This lullaby (as beautiful as it is simple!) is sung in Juan Diego's native Nahuatl language.
Nahuatl language
Xicochi, xicochi,
Xicochi, xicochi
Xicochi conetzintle
Xicochi conetzintle
Ca omizhuihuixoco in angelosme
Ca omizhuihuixoco in angelosme
Ca omizhuihuixoco in angelosme
In angelosme in angelosme
Alleluya alleluya
English translation
Sleep, sleep
Sleep, sleep
Sleep, precious baby
Sleep, precious baby
Indeed, the angels have come here
to rock you to sleep
Indeed, the angels have come here
to rock you to sleep
Indeed, the angels have come here
to rock you to sleep
Alleluia, alleluia
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