St. Juan Diego, a peasant in Mexico, was granted apparitions of the Virgin Mary on four occasions in December 1531. Our Lady of Guadalupe left her image on his tilma. He died in 1548, and his Feast Day is December 9.
St. Juan Diego,
We praise God for the special favor
That was granted to you
To see Our Lady of Guadalupe,
The pregnant Mother of God,
And to have her image appear on your tilma.
With you and all the Saints,
We worship the Unborn Jesus,
Our Redeemer in the Womb,
And we venerate his Mother,
Patroness of the Pro-life Movement.
We rejoice that her image, entrusted to you,
Converted millions of Aztecs
And ended their practice of human sacrifice.
Our Lady gave them new hope
That God, who was in her womb,
Is not against us,
But is on our side.
Intercede for all who are pregnant and afraid,
That they too may know that God is with them,
Giving them hope and strength to say yes to life,
In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.
St. Juan Diego, pray for us!
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life