In the last months, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity became more aware of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Midland, TX. One of the parish members of this Diocese of San Angelo faith community, shared with us about this special place and feast. May Our Lady of Guadalupe pray for us! Photos: Hilda
The Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day 2017 begins on December 11th with a Procession to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Everyone is asked to gather at Hidalgo Park on Tyler and Orchard Lane early evening. The walk begins with songs in honor of Our Lady. The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are prayed along the way. Upon arriving at the Shrine, all pray a consecration prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, followed by testimonies and serenades. Any individual or choir that would like to serenade our Blessed Mother is invited to sing.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Consecration Prayer
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ever Virgin,
mother of the True God,
Woman clothed with the Sun,
I totally consecrate myself to you
and to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart.
In humility, through this consecration,
I receive you, Virgin of Guadalupe,
into every moment of my life
and every fiber of my being.
I am assured that God has chosen you for me
and I recall what the Angel of the Lord told St. Joseph:
“Do no be afraid to take Mary to yourself
because what is in her is of the Holy Spirit.” [Mt. 1:20]
Holy Archangel Gabriel who presented the beauty
and virtues of Mary’s soul, [Lk. 1:26-35]
obtain for me the grace to imitate these virtues and,
by my example, to show others how to live,
how to love, how to sacrifice and how to die.
As I receive you, Queen and Mother of the Americas,
I desire, with your help,
to grow in my relationship with you,
a relationship which was confirmed by your Divine Son
as He hung dying on the cross
when He said to you His Holy and Sorrowful Mother,
“Woman, behold your Son!”
And to St. John, his beloved disciple,
“Son, behold your Mother!” [Jn. 19:26-27]
I implore you, Queen of the Angels,
and to St. Michael and the other angels
to defend us in our battle against Satan
and all of the evil spirits in this present darkness. [Eph. 6:12]
In reparation I will pray and sacrifice.
Please pray for us who seek refuge in you,
for the conversion of poor sinners who offend you
and for the salvation of all souls!
I promise to keep ever before me your instructions
at the Wedding Feast at Cana,
“Do whatever He tells you.” [Jn. 2:5]
In doing so I will be loyal and obedient to the Pope,
your first son on earth.
I am sure in my consecration to you
that you will lead me on a safe and sure path to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Holy Mother of God,
save us through the Flame of Love of your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart!
Send forth the grace from your Flame of Love
to the whole human race now and at the hour of our death.
Send forth your Spouse, the Holy Spirit,
to bring us the New Pentecost
and the fire of His Divine Love to renew the face of the earth.
O Mother of Mercy,
let there be revealed, once more,
in the history of the world the infinite power of merciful love!
May it put an end to evil.
May it transform consciences.
May your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of faith, hope and love.
May Christ the King reign over us,
our families, cities, states, nations and the whole of humanity.
O clement, O loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary,
hear our pleas and accept this cry from our hearts!
Dear Lady of Guadalupe,
I conclude my consecration to you
with the message you gave to Blessed Juan Diego in Mexico
on Tepeyc Hill in 1531
hereby accepting it also as a message from you to me.
Know for certain that I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary,
Mother of the True God.
Here I will show and offer all my love,
my compassion, my help and protection to the people.
I am your merciful Mother,
the Mother of all who love me,
of those who cry to me,
of those who have confidence in me.
Here I will hear their weeping and their sorrows
and will remedy and alleviate their suffering,
necessities and misfortunes…
Listen and let it penetrate your heart…
Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief.
Do not fear any illness or vexations, anxiety or pain.
Am I not here who am your Mother?
Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not your fountain of life?
Are you not in the folds of my mantle?
In the crossing of my arms?
Is there anything else you need?
Mary Our Blessed Mother!
Pray for us!