Nearing the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity feel drawn to take out our copy of the Guadalupe Account from the Aztec Language. Translated through the generosity of the Trappist Abbey of Our Lady of Guadalupe and CARA, you may want to order your own copy and renew your friendship with our Blessed Mother and humble, faithful Saint Juan Diego. The lines are of the finest poetry.
“IT WAS A SATURDAY, AND STILL QUITE DARK, WHEN HE WAS JOURNEYING IN PURSUIT OF THINGS DIVINE AND OF THE COMMANDMENTS.”
Juan Diego walks under an Advent sky waiting for the sun (the SON), with a sincere contemplative heart. He, like us at this time of year, are more serious about our living. This photo pictures Juan much younger, no less focused on the things of God.
“AS HE REACHES THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE HILLOCK IN THE AREA NAMED TEPEYAC, ALREADY DAWN IS BRIGHTENING.
One can’t help but hum the traditional Mary hymn “Mary the dawn, Christ the perfect day.”
“DISTINCTLY HE HEARS FROM THE TOP OF THE HILLOCK A SINGING, LIKE THAT OF VARIED RARE BIRDS OF SONG.
TIME AND AGAIN SUBSIDE THOSE VOICES, AS IF FOR THE HILL ITSELF TO ANSWER.
HOW UTTERLY SOOTHING TO THE HEART, HOW CHEERING TO THE SOUL, IS THEIR SONG, SURPASSING THAT OF THE SHRILLBIRD, THAT OF THE BELLBIRD, THAT OF EVERY OTHER KIND OF LOVELY SONGBIRD.”
How can one imagine such beauty of song? The harmonies found when scientifically studying Juan Diego’s tilma revealing a soon to give birth Mary, create celestial tones. Here’s a short excerpt of that heavenly music as you reflect on this feast. We’ll continue our conversation on Our Lady of Guadalupe in the days ahead! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
