Day 18 (Wk 1 - Day 6) Feast of St. Juan Diego

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are almost to the end of this first week of our 33 Day Journey, and I’m happy to be going to Confession this morning. It has been a difficult but a blessed week for me and I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit’s work in my heart. Today is also the Feast of St. Juan Diego, who has been for a long time a special inspiration for me in his love for Mary and her love for him.

Many times I’ve shared with you those tender words of Mary to this saint whom she address as “Juanito” ( meaning “little” John or “very dearest John”) it is a sign of endearment often given to a child. She told him: “Am I not your Mother? Are you not in the crossing of my arms?” It is encouraging for all of us who are no longer children (chronologically) to be convinced that we are God’s children and Mary’s! If you have never read an account of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearances to St. Juan Diego, you can read more HERE

St Juan Diego is a model of humility, and Divine Providence gives us his Feast-day today, so we may learn how to love Our Lady more and through her to give ourselves more totally to her son. There is a beautiful painting at the link above, in which the artist portrays the poor man (Mary’s “Juanito”) smiling under her mantle which she is wrapping around him. The expression on his face is precious! He was 57 years old when Mary appeared to him, at a time when life expectancy was 40 in his culture. He is smiling like a child delighted in knowing He is loved by his heavenly Mother, who is bringing Him closer to her Son.

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that we may know ourselves as God knows us: sinful and yet saved by grace and on our way to eternity. Let us heed the words of Jesus to become humble as little children and entrust ourselves totally to Him through Mary. St. Juan Diego, pray for us.

Litany to the Holy Spirit - HERE
Ave Maris Stella - HERE
Litany of the Virgin Mary - HERE
 
I read the story of Juan Diego when I was very young as it was in a book of Catholic children’s stories. I always loved the story and more so when I read about the mysterious images in Our Lady of Guadalupe’s eyes on the tilma. I am sad that the Catholic churches in USA in my area do not seem to be celebrating this optional memorial to the saint but I can go to Mass anyway.
 
Thanks for your reply, Tis_Bearself,

You are fortunate to have a Saturday Mass – many parishes only have a Sunday vigil Mass, and miss many lovely memorials such as this one. I have been blessed by everything I read about Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego – most of all by the very tender relationship of Mary as Mother to her humble son “Juanito”.

May we all continue to grow in that beautiful relationship of “a child” to our Mother Mary in imitation of Jesus who willingly became a humble Child in her womb! Thanks again for your reply and your continuing love for Jesus and Mary, even as St. Juan Diego and all the saints grew in holiness one grace-filled day at a time. 🙂
 
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I’ll be at the vigil. The early Masses were just “ordinary time Masses”. Nothing special for St. Juan Diego here, sadly. But I can go to Mass tonight and again tomorrow. It’s still two Masses even if the readings are the same.
 
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Dear Tis_Bearself,

Vigil Mass readings should be for this Second Sunday. They are so appropriate to our Journey of 33 Days. I just posted Day 19, hope you’ll read it. 🙂
 
Dear Adam,

Thanks much for your reply.

I read from your link what Jimmy Akin wrote. Interesting, but personally I think the most important thing for me is not the history – although that is significant. What stands out most for me is the beautiful relationship of Mary, as a loving Mother to her son “Juanito” and his humble and reverent love for her.
 
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