Holy Father's Message to the Americas for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

(Vatican Radio) Tomorrow (Dec 12) is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas. I would like to greet all my brothers and sisters on that continent, and I do so thinking of the Virgin of Tepeyac. When Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego, her face was that of a woman of mixed blood, a mestiza, and her garments bore many symbols of the native culture. Like Jesus, Mary is close to all her sons and daughters; as a concerned mother, she accompanies them on their way through life. She shares all the joys and hopes, the sorrows and troubles of God’s People, which is made up of men and women of every race and nation. When the image of the Virgin appeared on the tilma of Juan Diego, it was the prophecy of an embrace: Mary’s embrace of all the peoples of the vast expanses of America – the peoples who already lived there, and those who were yet to come. Mary’s embrace showed what America – North and South – is called to be: a land where different peoples come together; a land prepared to accept human life at every stage, from the mother’s womb to old age; a land which welcomes immigrants, and the poor and the marginalized, in every age. A land of generosity. That is the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it is also my message, the message of the Church. I ask all the people of the Americas to open wide their arms, like the Virgin, with love and tenderness.

Please take the time to watch this informative documentary on the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the scientifically inexplicable image of Our Lady on the tilma of St Juan Diego: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzqFg-XYWHI

Litany of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.

Christ hear us.

Christ graciously hear us.

God our Heavenly Father, 

creator through whom we live, have mercy on us.

God the Son, the One who owns 

what is near and beyond, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

...to the following, respond 'pray for us'...

Holy Mary of Guadalupe,
Holy Mary, Mother of America,
Holy Mary, Star of the New Evangelization,
Holy Mary, Perfect and Ever Virgin,
Holy Mary, Mother of the True God,
Holy Mary, Mother worthy of honor and veneration,
Holy Mary, Mother most merciful,
Holy Mary, Mother of those who love you and have confidence in you,
Holy Mary, Mother of those who cry to you and search for you,
Holy Mary, Mother who cures all our pains, miseries and sorrows,
Holy Mary, Mother who remedies and alleviates our sufferings,
Holy Mary, Mother who keeps us within her compassionate and merciful gaze,
Holy Mary, Mother who shows us her help, love and compassion,
Holy Mary, Mother who chooses those who are humble and simple,
Holy Mary, Mother who graciously repays all who serve her,
Holy Mary, Mother who as us under her shadow and protection,
Holy Mary, Mother who carries us in her embrace,
Holy Mary, Fountain of our joy,

Good St Joseph, pray for us.

St Juan Diego, pray for us. 

All Angels & Saints, pray for us. 

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Rose of Heaven, make intercession for the Church of God. Protect the Sovereign Pontiff and have pity on all who call on you in grief and need. Mother of God and ever Virgin Mary, win from your Son the grace that we keep Faith and Hope amid life's bitterness and sorrow. Make love burn brightly in our hearts all days, until you bring us safely to the vision of your Most Holy Son, our God and Savior. + Amen.

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