The actual patron saint of Mexico is Our Lady of Guadalupe, but St. Juan Diego has everything to do with Our Lady of Guadalupe, so in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I present St. Juan Diego. Lived from 1474 to 1548
Hometown: Around Mexico City, Mexico
Feast Day: December 9th
Juan Diego was born and raised as a member of the Aztec tribe. He eventually married and became a farmer. When Franciscan missionaries came to his town, him and his wife were the first to be baptized and he changed his name to Juan Diego. On December 9th 1531 he was walking to Mass when he saw the Virgin Mary appear before him and spoke to him. He told his bishop, but the bishop didn't believe him. Less than a week later he saw the Virgin Mary again, who not only gave him a sign to give the bishop but also cured Juan Diego's uncle. The sign she gave was roses, growing in the middle of the winter. He took these to the bishop and came, telling the story of the Virgin Mary as the roses spilled out of his tilma and an image of Mary appeared on the tilma. After all of these events, Juan Diego lived a simple farm life and enjoyed talking to pilgrims that came by to see him. He died seventeen years after the apparition. For more information:
https://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjuandiego.asp
St. Juan Diego, you teach us the beauty of a simple faithful life with Mary, our mother at the center. May we have the same open trust in God and Mary as you did. Juan Diego, guide us to Mary and guide us to faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment