Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast
Flock Family at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse
Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special place in the hearts of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Every year on December 12th, we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, commemorating her miraculous appearance in 1531 to the indigenous man Juan Diego.
According to tradition, early on the morning of December 12th, Juan Diego was searching for help for his sick uncle when the Virgin Mary appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill. She told him his uncle was already healed and asked him to gather roses from the top of the hill as proof of her miraculous visitations for the bishop. When Juan Diego presented the roses to the bishop, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was revealed on his cloak. The bishop then ordered the construction of a shrine in her honor on Tepeyac Hill, where pilgrims still visit today.
Since 1531, December 12th has been celebrated by Mexicans with great devotion to Our Lady. In 1667, Pope Clement IX officially installed December 12th on the Church calendar as the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1884, it was declared a national holiday in Mexico. For many, she is a symbol of faith, hope, and national pride. Even those who do not regularly attend Mass will make a point to visit her shrine on her feast day.
I was born and raised in Mexico City, where visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe was an annual family tradition. But we never went in December out of respect for the many pilgrims traveling great distances to reach her on the 12th. My mother explained that December was for those coming from afar who needed the comfort of Our Lady's presence.
When I moved to Wisconsin over 20 years ago, I was shocked to learn of plans to build a shrine in La Crosse devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe. I told my mother, who said she was glad Our Lady would be close to watch over me in my new home. I've proudly shown the shrine to friends visiting from Mexico, and my mom was able to attend Mass there at least once before she passed away. She said Our Lady would protect me here.
Flock Family at the Shrine for the Unborn in LaCrosse, WI
When my son was born, we named him Diego after Saint Juan Diego to honor Our Lady. We try to celebrate December 12th as a family by attending Mass, bringing flowers, and reminding Diego of his special namesake. And whenever we visit Mexico City, we try to visit the shrine there.
I highly recommend visiting the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine here in LaCrosse if you have never been. See the beautiful grounds and chapel, and take some quiet time to feel Our Lady's reassuring presence. She has a special message of faith and comfort to share with all who come.
Our Lady of Guadalupe feast is a celebration of faith, culture, and national pride. I feel blessed to honor her both here in her adopted Wisconsin home and in her native home in Mexico City. Our Lady walks with us and guides us in our journey like any mother.
Veronica Flock