During my pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, I experienced Mary’s love so deeply. Devoted pilgrims prayerfully moved across the piazza on their knees towards the miraculous tilma enshrined in the Basilica. I was magnetically drawn to the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The beautiful image of Our Lady is visible throughout the sanctuary of the Basilica. You can get closer by walking down to the crypt and getting onto a moving walkway which carries pilgrims slowly beneath the image. There wasn’t a line when I was there, so I may have passed back and forth a few dozen times!
I simply wanted to remain there with Mary, our Mother who lives in the heart of the Church. But like a good mother, Mary always leads us to her Son, Jesus. Amidst the joyful celebrations of Baptisms, Quinceañeras, and wedding anniversaries, priests faithfully stand in Persona Christi administering the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe offers over thirty Masses throughout the day. Dozens of priests hear confessions (in multiple languages) every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. And in the hiddenness of that confessional and the quietness of receiving the Most Holy Eucharist, I encountered the infinite love of the Holy Trinity in such peace.
Yes, this is the Heart of the Church: encountering the mercy and love of God in the Sacraments. And this is where Mary wraps us under her loving mantle of protection. On this beautiful feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, listen to her final words to Saint Juan Diego on December 12, 1531. She speaks her words of comfort and hope to our weary hearts today:
“There is nothing to frighten and distress you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let nothing upset you. Is it not I, your Mother, who is here? Are you not under my protection? Are you not, fortunately, in my care?” (source)
Mary always leads us to her Son, Jesus. // Rose Coleman Click to tweet
Consider sharing your prayer request to the Basilica in Mexico City here.
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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