OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE : CO-PATRON OF THE SACRAMENTO DIOCESE AND PATRONESS OF THE AMERICAS.........

On December 9-12, 1531, a poor Mexican boy witnessed apparitions by a woman on the hill of Tepeyac, outside of Mexico City, that more than four and three quarter centuries later is the only officially Church approved appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Americas, under the title - Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pope Pius XII, declared her Patroness of the Americas, over fifty years ago; and she is also the Co-Patron, with St. Patrick, of our own Sacramento Diocese. Today throughout the Americas, she is venerated, commemorated, and celebrated, with great festivity and feasting. Many parishes in our country and on the continent below us, begin this day in church at very early hours, such as the 5 am gathering this morning at St. Philomene's Parish in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento. "Las Mananiitas", as in song, scripture, and other readings, the faithful recount the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Special Guadalupe Day Masses are also celebrated today, featuring Mariachi music and sanctuaries adorned with a plethora of roses. Breakfast gatherings follow, with Hispanic pastries and hot Chocolate to be shared. All to honor and remember Mary's motherly love, as the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the only one portraying her pregnant with the baby Jesus. How appropriate a time for her apparitions to have occurred as our Advent journey to Christmas continues to countdown. Next week today's feast will lead to, "Las Posadas", the nightly reenactment during the last days of Advent, of Joseph and Mary seeking shelter before the Holy Birth, that first Christmas. And so as we celebrate this significantly meaningful Feast for not only our Latino brothers and sisters, but all of us as Catholic-Christian disciples, may Our Lady of Guadalupe bring you prayerful intercession as we strive to exemplify her graced fidelity to God.........Mary Our Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray For Us,
Fr. Troy