"God of power and mercy, you blessed the Americas at Tepeyac with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. May her prayers help all men and women to accept each other as brothers and sisters. Through your justice present in our hearts may your peace reign in the world.
"We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." ~ Closing Prayer for 12 December, Liturgy of the Hours
As today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I did a little searching on the subject and came across several fine finds. (An aside: Another bit to add to the "Everywhere You Go, Franciscans!" file: It was a Franciscan friar, Bishop Juan Zumárraga, OFM, to whom St. Juan Diego displayed his tilma.)
For a quick overview on Our Lady of Guadalupe, see The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, helpfully provided by the ever-awesome Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (who have placed themselves under the protection and guidance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, btw).
Check out this a super-short clip (25 seconds) of the interior of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico City) on YouTube:
basilica guadalupe
And for All Things Guadalupe, check out Our Lady of Guadalupe, which provides extensive information about Our Lady of Guadalupe along with other aspects of Marian devotion. I especially like the picture gallery; there's an awesomeSt. Michael statue shown there! Seriously, anyone know how we can order a (small) replica of that sucker?!
I first posted this pondering a few years ago in an online forum, and it's something I still think about from time to time:
Let's say we eventually manage to set up a colony on/terraform Mars, or some other non-Earth location. Seein' as how no matter where we go, God is with us, wouldn't it be entirely possible that Our Lady would appear to us there?
While not on the Church's universal calendar, the Feast of the Espousals -- customarily celebrated on 23 January -- has been observed as a particular feast in various forms since 1416, and it's a splendid way to honor the sanctity of marriage, so perfectly embodied in Mary and Joseph's union. Given the continued attacks on marriage and family all around us, meditating on the very real marriage of these Holy Spouses is especially valuable.
Studying the history of this feast -- and so many devotions and movements associated with Joseph -- tickles me to no end, since yet again, Franciscans play a role in its development! (Everywhere you look, Franciscans!) You can read a detailed history here; I've quoted some bits below:
"During the twentieth century the Feast of the Espousals on January 23 continued to be found in more particular calendars: St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome, 1913; Marello's Oblates of St. Joseph, 1921; the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal, Canada, 1940; and Murialdo's Congregation of St. Joseph, 1946. ... In Vienna, Austria, the Piarist Church of the Espousals, which includes a Corradini sculpture of Mary and Joseph being blessed by the high priest, was named a minor basilica in 1949.
"In 1961 the Sacred Congregation of Rites issued an instruction that removed from particular calendars numerous particular feasts, including the Feast of the Espousals of Mary and St. Joseph, except in places where the feasts have a special connection with the place itself. In the post Vatican II period of liturgical renewal, the feast is again being permitted for particular liturgical calendars. In 1989, for example, the Oblates of St. Joseph obtained permission to celebrate on January 23 "The Holy Spouses Mary and Joseph" with the liturgical rank of "Feast," and full proper texts, including a preface:
" 'You give the Church the joy of celebrating the feast of the Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph: in her, full of grace and worthy Mother of your Son, you signify the beginning of the Church, resplendently beautiful bride of Christ; you chose him, the wise and faithful servant, as Husband of the Virgin Mother of God, and made him head of your family, to guard as a father your only Son, conceived by the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, our Lord.' " ~ from "Liturgical Feasts of St. Joseph in the 19th and 20th Centuries", by Fr. Larry M. Toschi, OSJ in Saint Joseph Studies (Fr. Larry M. Toschi, OSJ; Editor)
As I've Wanted To See The Danged Roses In Bloom at a nearby public garden for quite a long time, Husband Mike finally indulged me this past Saturday afternoon (yay!), and so off we went to wander amid the blooms.
As we meandered, I thought about the rose in comparison to other flowers. I'm not dissin' daisies, lilacs, or cherry blossoms, mind you. It's just that whenever I think of flowers, they fall into two categories: Roses, and All The Other Flowers ... sort of like Mary, and all the other saints. Every one exquisite, beautiful, unique, and giving glory to God in their own right. And yet, the Rose has priority, just as Our Blessed Lady has priority.
And then I started thinking of all the associations between Our Mother and roses ... of how her apparitions are frequently accompanied by the scent of roses ... the Rosary ... and all the rose-related titles that've been applied to her.
So, I thought it fitting to weave some of those titles (more here) among the pictures we took. (And look! No fingers over the lens! That's a personal best for me.) Hope you enjoy them. :-)
Rose giving back to all the destiny of salvation
Rose soothing the afflicted
Fragrant rose of the heavenly court
Rose ever blooming
Rose ruddy in trampling vices
Rose white in purifying the affections
Rose of paradise, transplanted into this valley of tears
Rose in whose gentle bosom God was laid
Mystic rose in the flowering garden of the Church
Bonus robin picture: "Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; cry out to the rock of our salvation. Let us greet Him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms." (Psalm 95)
"God of power and mercy, you blessed the Americas at Tepeyac with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. May her prayers help all men and women to accept each other as brothers and sisters. Through your justice present in our hearts may your peace reign in the world.
