Our Lady of Guadalupe--Feast December 12

Soft Saint Doll of Our Lady of Guadalupe

You will recall that the Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Juan Diego in Mexico on December 12, 1531, at  Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City, the site of a former pagan temple. She told him of her love for the Mexican people and asked the bishop to build a church in honor of her on the  hill. When the bishop asked for proof of the apparition, the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego, asked him to pick some roses which were miraculously in bloom, and bring them to her. This he did while she arranged them in his tilma (cloak). She told him to bring these to the bishop as a sign of the legitimacy of the apparition and of the sincerity of her request to build a church. When Juan Diego opened his cloak, the roses tumbled out and the image of the Virgin appeared on the tilma. The tilma is still preserved, and experts cannot explain how the image came to be there. It is imprinted into the fibers, in color. It is not painted onto the tilma.

Soft Saint Doll of Juan Diego

The words of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe (which means She Who Crushes the Stone Serpent, an Aztec God) to Juan Diego, are as follows (not necessarily in the order spoken):

"Juanito, dearest Juan Diego."

"Listen, Juan, my dearest and youngest son, where are you going?"

Gold Framed and Accented Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

"Know, know for sure, my dearest, littlest, and youngest son, that I am the perfect and ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the God of truth through Whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near us, the Lord of heaven and earth. I want very much to have a little house built here for me, in which I will show Him, I will exalt Him and make Him manifest. I will give Him to the people in all my personal love, in my compassion, in my help, in my protection: because I am truly your merciful Mother, yours and all the people who live united in this land and of all the other people of different ancestries, my lovers, who love me, those who seek me, those who trust in me. Here I will hear their weeping, their complaints and heal all their sorrows, hardships and sufferings. And to bring about what my compassionate and merciful concern is trying to achieve, you must go to the residence of the Bishop of Mexico and tell him that I sent you here to show him how strongly I wish him to build me a temple here on the plain; you will report to him exactly all you have seen, admired and what you have heard. Know for sure I will appreciate it very much, be grateful and will reward you. And you? You will deserve very much the reward I will give you for your fatigue, the work and trouble that my mission will cause you. Now my dearest son, you have heard my breath, my word; go now and put forth your best effort."

"Listen to me, my youngest and dearest son, know for sure that I do not lack servants and messengers to whom I can give the task of carrying out my words, who will carry out my will. But it is very necessary that you plead my cause and, with your help and through your mediation, that my will be fulfilled. My youngest and dearest son, I urge and firmly order you to go to the bishop again tomorrow. Tell him in my name and make him fully understand my intention that he start work on the chapel I'm requesting. Tell him again that I am the ever Virgin, Holy Mary, the Mother of God, who is sending you."

"That is fine, my youngest and dearest son; you will return here tomorrow so that you may take the sign he asked for. Then, he will believe and no longer doubt or be suspicious of you; and know, my dear son, I shall reward your care, work and fatigue in my behalf. Go now; tomorrow I shall be here waiting for you."

"What is happening, dearest and youngest of my sons? Where are you going? Where are you headed?"

"Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that disturbs you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing. Do not let your countenance, your heart be disturbed. Do not fear this sickness of your uncle or any other sickness, nor anything that is sharp or hurtful. Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you. Do not let your uncle's illness worry you, because he will not die now. You may be certain that he is already well."

"Go up, my dearest son, to the top of the hill, to where you saw me and received my directions and you will find different kinds of flowers. Cut them, gather them, put them all together, then come down here and bring them before me."

"My youngest and dearest son, these different kinds of flowers are the proof, the sign that you will take to the Bishop. You will tell him from me that he is to see in them my desire, and therefore he is to carry out my wish, my will. And you, who are my messenger, in you I place my absolute trust. I strictly order you not to unfold your tilma or reveal its contents until you are in his presence. You will relate to him everything very carefully: how I sent you to the top of the hill to cut and gather flowers, all you saw and marveled at in order to convince the Governing Priest so that he will then do what lies within his responsibility so that my house of God which I requested will be made, will be built."

Source: Br. Francis Mary, "Nican Mopohua: Original Account of Guadalupe," in A Handbook on Guadalupe. 

The CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop has several items honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. These include medals, prayer cards, Conception is Life Rosary, Soft Saint Dolls, a Rosary CD, and book.

Framed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe as the image appeared on the tilma of Juan Diego

How comforting to recall the words of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe! May her words ring true in our lives as we come to her as children to the most loving of Moms.

"Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you."

Plant Wheat on Feast of Saint Lucy: Pre Christmas Tradition

The CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop offers a wheat planting kit to prepare for Christmas by celebrating the Feast of Saint Lucy in a special way. The kit contains wheat berries, a peat pellet, a St. Lucy Prayer Card, and Instructions and Background of this tradition. Maybe you would like to begin this tradition with your family.

Wheat planted on St. Lucy's Feast will be several inches high by Christmas.

The tradition of planting wheat on Saint Lucy's Day (December 13) comes from Hungary, Croatia, and other European nations. Plant wheat grains in a round dish or plate of soil, then water the seeds. Place the container in a warm spot. If the planting medium is kept moist (not sopping wet), the seeds will germinate and the shoots will be several inches high by Christmas. Then the new green shoots, reminding us of the new life born in Bethlehem, may be tied with a ribbon, if desired, and a candle may be placed near them as a symbol of the Light of Christ.

Place the plate of sprouted wheat near the Nativity  set where it will remind all that Christ, the Bread of Life, was born in Bethlehem, whose name means "House of Bread." The wheat recalls the Eucharist which is made from wheat. It also brings to mind Christ's parables about wheat:

THE GRAIN OF WHEAT MUST DIE: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains but a single grain, but, if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. (John 12:24) "Lord, may we die to self so that we will live for You. May we rejoice that those who, faithful to You, have left this world in death are alive with You forever. May we praise You for having died for us and bringing forth our faith as Your fruits."

SEED SOWN ON GOOD GROUND: The farmer went out to sow, and seed fell into various places, some springing up and then withering or being choked out and other seed falling on good ground and yielding a great harvest. (Mark 4:1-20, Matthew 13: 4-23) "Lord, may we be good ground to receive the seed of Your word, and may we put that word into practice."

WEEDS AMONG THE WHEAT: A farmer sows good wheat in his field but, when it sprouts, weeds are among it. He advises his workers to allow both to grow until the harvest when the wheat will be gathered into barns and the weeds burnt. (Matthew 13: 24-30) "Lord, help us to understand that evil and trial will be present in the world until your Second Coming. Keep us from being discouraged. Grant us the faith to know that You are in control and will gather those who remain faithful to You into Your eternal dwellings."

THE RISING FLOUR: The reign of God is like yeast which, when kneaded into flour, makes the whole batch rise. (Matthew 13:33). "Lord, my soul is the flour into which I invite You to knead Your grace. As I feel punched and beaten and slapped around by life, let me realize that You are but kneading me into someone new and good."

SEED GROWS UNAWARE: The seed that is sowed in the field grows of itself without the sower being aware of it. (Mark 4:26-29). "Lord, help me to realize that the seeds of faith that I am sowing in others, by my actions, words, and prayers, may be sprouting and growing even though I do not know it. Grant me sure hope that those for whom I pray will be saved from eternal death."

SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN: Christ's disciples were plucking wheat and eating it on the Sabbath. When the Pharisees complained that the disciples were working on a day on which no work was to be done, Jesus reminded them how David and his starving men had eaten food which was in the temple. "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath," Jesus declared. (Mark 2:23-28) "Lord, help me to understand that charity toward others is the highest law and that keeping all Your laws to perfection avails nothing if I do not keep them with love."

SAINT LUCY (SANTA LUCIA)

Saint Lucy

Tradition tells us that Saint Lucy was born of noble, wealthy, Christian parents in Syracuse, Italy. Lucy had few memories of her father, for he died when Lucy was an infant. As a young girl, Lucy took a secret vow to consecrate her virginity to Christ. Thus her mother was quite dismayed when Lucy, as a teen, refused marriage to a young pagan. When Lucy's mother developed a hemorrhage, Lucy persuaded her to visit the tomb of St. Agatha to pray for healing. When her mother was healed, Lucy revealed her vow of virginity and asked permission to bestow her fortune on the poor. Joyful at her cure, Lucy's mother agreed, but Lucy's pagan suitor was incensed. With the persecution of the emperor Diocletian at its height, the jilted young man accused Lucy, before a judge, of being a Christian. When Lucy refused to relinquish her faith, the judge ordered her to a brothel. However, guards who attempted to drag her to the house of sin were unable to budge her. Similarly an attempt to burn Lucy to death failed so she was dispatched by thrusting a sword into her throat. The date of Lucy's martyrdom was December 13, 304.

SAINT LUCY ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHT

According to the Julian calendar, December 13th was the shortest day of the year. The change to the Gregorian calendar altered the date to December 21st, but did not change Lucy's feast day celebration, and she is forever associated with lengthening days and more sunlight.

As early as the sixth century, Lucy was honored in Rome as one of the most praiseworthy virgin martyrs, and her name was inserted into the canon of the Mass. Possibly because of her name, which means "light," Lucy was invoked by those who suffered from eye trouble or blindness. Due to this connection, various legends arose. One legend claimed that her eyes were put out by a tyrannical government official or by her jilted boyfriend. Another declared that Lucy tore them out herself to discourage her pagan suitor. In every story, however, the Lord restored her eyes to her, more beautiful than ever.

CELEBRATIONS OF SAINT LUCY'S DAY

Saint Lucy's Day, December 13, is celebrated by several European nations. 

In Sweden, the oldest (or youngest) daughter in each household traditionally carries a tray of coffee and traditional pastries called lussekatter (Lucy cats) to her parents before they arise in the morning. She wears a white gown, scarlet sash, and a crown of greens and four, seven, or nine lighted candles . Her brothers, wearing white shirts and tall, cone-shaped hats decorated with stars, and her sisters, all in white and carrying lighted candles, follow her. In many towns, a Saint Lucy is chosen to carry coffee and buns to each house. She and her followers, each bearing a lighted candle, sing carols as they traverse the dark streets while St. Steven, represented by a man on horseback, leads the way. The procession is done in memory of Saint Lucy's traversing darkened woods to bring bread and other food to the poor. 

In Switzerland, St Lucy strolls around the village with Father Christmas, giving gifts to the girls while he gives gifts to the boys. 

In Venice, folks celebrate the Feast of St. Lucy by enjoying fried cheese.

Italians eat small cakes or biscotti shaped like eyes, light huge bonfires, and conduct evening candlelight processions, all in honor of Saint Lucy.

Cuccia

Sicilians pay tribute to a miracle performed by St Lucy during a famine in 1582. At that time, she brought a flotilla of grain-bearing ships to starving Sicily, whose citizens cooked and ate the wheat without taking time to grind it into flour. Thus, on St. Lucy's Day, Sicilians don't eat anything made with wheat flour. Instead they eat cooked wheat called cuccia. 

TO MAKE CUCCIA:

Soak one pound of winter wheat (available at health food stores) for two days, changing the water daily. On the third day, change the water and cover the wheat with fresh water to four inches above the grains. Boil and then turn the heat down to medium, stirring often with a wooden spoon. Keep a teapot of boiling water handy to pour into the wheat should water be needed to keep the wheat from scorching. Cook until the wheat pops open and the innards are soft, resembling gruel. Drain off any excess water. This is cuccia.

CUCCIA PORRIDGE FOR BREAKFAST

Serve cuccia cold or warm, with milk or cream, sugar or other sweetener, and cinnamon if desired. 

CUCCIA SOUP FOR LUNCH

Mix cooked cuccia in amount desired with one can undrained fava or red beans and 1 can undrained chick peas. Add 1 small clove minced garlic, dash of red pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and one cup water. Cook until heated through and salt to taste.

CUCCIA STIR FRY FOR DINNER

Saute onion in olive oil until tender, add the a can of drained chick peas (ceci, garbanzo beans) and some cuccia as well as salt, pepper and minced garlic or garlic powder to taste. Stir until warmed through. Eat as is or serve over steamed rice.

CUCCIA DESSERT

Mix cuccia with citron or other candied fruit and/or sweetened chocolate chips.

Christmas Card Prayers

People often have wonderful ideas!

One of the customers of the CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop is planning to order twenty of our "Mary, Take and Resolve" Prayer Card to include in her Christmas cards. What a great way to evangelize and to spread the good news about the Blessed Mother's intercession!

The CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop has a variety of prayer cards available plus the ability to print Custom Print Card with your OWN prayer or well wishes.

The shop even carries a unique Christmas card designed by Sister Veronica of Jesus of the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth. The card features Saint Francis, the Blessed Virgin, and the Child Jesus.

However you wish to greet family and friends this Christmas, the CFP Holy Angels Gift Shop offers several  techniques to keep Christ in Christmas. After all, if it weren't for Christ, we would have no Christmas.