1474–1548
Saint Juan Diego, 1474–1548
December 9
The Church and the year both have seasons. Sometimes God makes special things happen out of season to show his love. Saint Juan Diego lived in Mexico. One December day, while walking to church, he met a woman who said she was the Mother of God and her Son was Jesus, the Savior. She said her title was Our Lady of Guadalupe. When Juan asked for a sign to be sure, roses bloomed even though it was cold and wintery. Juan brought the roses to his bishop, who had a shrine built at the site where Juan had seen Mary.
Discuss: When has God shown you a sign of love?
The Church and the year both have seasons. Sometimes God makes special things happen out of season to show his love. Saint Juan Diego lived in Mexico. One December day, while walking to church, he met a woman who said she was the Mother of God and her Son was Jesus, the Savior. She said her title was Our Lady of Guadalupe. When Saint Juan asked for a sign to be sure, roses bloomed even though it was cold and wintery. Juan brought the roses to his bishop, who had a shrine built at the site where Juan had seen Mary.
Saint Juan Diego’s original name was Cuauhtlatoatzin, which means “Talking Eagle.” He was a farm worker and mat maker. The second time Mary appeared to Juan Diego, he encountered her while he was going to visit his seriously ill uncle. Our Lady told him that his uncle had been cured. When he brought Our Lady of Guadalupe’s roses to his bishop, the image of Our Lady appeared on his tilma, the long cloak he wore. The shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City draws thousands of pilgrims today.
Activity
Signs of Love
Visual/Spatial
Discuss with the child ways that God gives us signs of his presence and love.