IT JUST HAD TO HAPPEN!!!!
THE BOY GETS A WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mesoamerica, the New World, 1521: The capital city of the Aztec empire falls under the Spanish forces. Less than 20 years later, 9 million of the inhabitants of the land, who professed for centuries a polytheistic and human sacrificing religion, are converted to Christianity. What happened in those times that produced such an incredible and historically unprecedented conversion?
In 1531 a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a humble Native American at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of what is now Mexico City.
She identified herself as the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth.
She made a request for a church to be built on the site, and submitted her wish to the local Bishop. When the Bishop hesitated, and requested her for a sign, the Mother of God obeyed without delay or question to the Church's local Bishop, and sent her native messenger to the top of the hill in mid-December to gather an assortment of roses for the Bishop.
After complying to the Bishop's request for a sign, She also left for us an image of herself imprinted miraculously on the native's tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 477 years later and still defies all scientific explanations of its origin.
I actually had the opportunity to see this cloth when I visited Mexico City in January.
It apparently even reflects in Her eyes what was in front of her in 1531.
Her message of love and compassion, and her universal promise of help and protection to all mankind, as well as the story of the apparitions, are described in the "Nican Mopohua", a 16th century document written in the native Nahuatl language.
There is reason to believe that at Tepeyac Mary came in her glorified body, and her actual physical hands rearranged the roses in Juan Diego’s tilma, which makes this apparition very special.
An incredible list of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed to Her. Yearly, between 18 - 20 million pilgrims visit the Basilica, making it Christianity's most visited sanctuary.
Altogether 25 popes have officially honoured Our Lady of Guadalupe. His Holiness John Paul II visited her Sanctuary four times: on his first apostolic trip outside Rome as Pope in 1979, and again in 1990, 1999 and 2002.
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th. In 1999, Pope John Paul II, in his homily from the Solemn Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, during his third visit to the sanctuary, declared the date of December the 12th as a Liturgical Holy Day for the whole continent.
So the festivities began at 5.30am at the San Antonio Church which is just about 50 yards away from the RV park.
The church bells rang incessantly, the Mariachi Band played like there was no tomorrow and the fireworks blasted their way into the sky.
I couldn’t sleep so figured I would go join the fun.
Who would have thought so much noise could be emitted by so few men!!
The Rocket Man!!
I can only assume that the celebrations were in order to open the church’s doors because as soon as the Priest opened the doors, everything stopped.
Quite an eventful start to moving day.
By 9am we were all packed and ready to tackle the small red gate to get out of the RV park.
We stopped at Mega and stocked up on some groceries then made our way to Linda and Guy’s house.
After seeing Linda and Guy leave on their long drive north we drove into town and on our way there passed this huge pilgrimage heading into town.
Fun sights on the walk into town!!
I like this one not very clear but with the Church in the background.
In my own defence here I am reaching into my fanny pack to get a coin to give to the mule’s owner!!!!!!
Great sight in the local market where Sara and I ordered our regular fresh juice drink, Strawberry and Pina!!!
We came to the Jardin to drink them and when we had almost finished this little kid came and asked if he could have the drink. Sara gave her drink to him and away he went and about 20 seconds later his buddy came and I gave him my drink.
Sara took the shot of the kids with the drinks and also the sleeping old man!!
There were about 5 or 6 ladies in the Jardin with these signs which translates to Free Hugs!!
Always like a good hug!!
Lady on her way to church.
This side walk stall is where I get my fresh produce.
Soon it was onto the girl’s home as we had arranged to pick them up but I did get an e mail from the Coordinator Robin informing me that one of the girls would not be available.
We arrived at Casa Hogar and was met by the Madre and Daniela who had her sister Lupita all dressed up and asking if she could come with us. The Madre also asked us if we would take them both and of course we did.
On the drive back to the house we discovered it was little Lupita’s birthday, she is five years old today!!
Here she is helping Sara make cookies!!!
This cooking is thristy work!!
We played some games with the girls, they helped me wash some strawberries and then had supper.
Too soon it was time to take the girls home.
We are hoping that we can go to Casa Hogar tomorrow evening for Sara to say good bye to the girls.
Tonight Sara and I are enjoyed this lovely casa and watching a movie instead of me getting whooped at scrabble.
Another great day, blessings and best wishes for the weekend to you all.
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