From Guadelupe to Fatima a Prophetic Mystery

The First in a Series of Modern Apparitions

 over the past  500 Years

Fatima is undoubtedly the most prophetic of all the modern apparitions over the past 500 years. If we understand the implications of this statement then it will lead us to meditate on each of our Lady's appearances in the light of the Fatima Message. 

Over time the church with the help of the Holy Spirit reflects on these appearances of Our Lady uncovering these hidden mysteries. She discovers God’s finger writing a story within the symbols contained in these Marian events. They are not coincidences! God has a purpose in everything he does. A message to proclaim in the timing of the appearances as well as within the historical context of these Marian events meditated on in the Light of Fatima.

  

Our Lady of Guadalupe 1531

The first apparition of Modern Times  

A mystery is hidden within each  approved Marian Apparition outside of their historical significance that can, need we say must, be learned through prayer and meditation. Throughout history there have been supernatural apparitions and signs which, to the surprise of believers and non-believers alike, play their part in the unfolding of human history.

   

Guadalupe is considered to be the greatest place of pilgrimage in the world after Rome.  As well as the first apparition which established a sanctuary of influence, national and worldwide.  It was estimated that in 2009 more than 6.1 million pilgrims visited the Basilica of Guadalupe on December 11-12  marking the 478th anniversary of the apparitions  of the Virgin to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac.  
 

Guadelupe is one of the most significant  of the approved Marian apparitions in the Church rich with symbolisms. The symbolism's on the tilma. although primarily directed to Juan and the Aztec people of the time,  are speaking, or rather shouting, to us in our modern era. 

They echo without words or sound in modern time. A prophetic marker for our era.  The imprint of Mary on the tilma speaks to us prophetically in a  manner as the scriptures. Speaking in the language of the Holy Spirit. The drama around the Tilma also gives witness during the course of the apparition. The events between our Lady, Juan, the bishop and Juan’s uncle. Later in the witness Juan Diego gave with his life after Our Lady appeared. All of these give testimony!

Guadalupe linked to Fatima as

the book of Daniel is linked

with Revelation or Apocalypse. 

Daniel is considered by biblical scholars to be the apocalyptic book of the Hebrew bible, the first apocalypse.  A  Divine revelation concerning things to come. Preparing the way for its sister book Revelations. After Daniel received his visions he was instructed by the Angel with these words:

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, knowledge shall be increased. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand Daniel,12:9-10

If Guadalupe is on the same historical plane with the Book of Daniel it  is also pointing to a future messianic event since Jesus already appeared it has to be the return of the bridegroom for its church the second coming of the Lord.  Fatima is alongside the book of Revelation and is preparing the church for the return of her bridegroom at the end of time. Recall how Our Lord told the   apostles in John Chapter 16:12-13

“I have many more things to say to you,
but you cannot bear them now
But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, 
He will guide you into all the truth;
for He will not speak on His own initiative,
whatever He hears, He will speak; and will 
disclose you to you what is to come." John 16:12-13

We know that in the interpretation of scriptures there is a historical significance that the writers were inspired to write for. Later, as the church reflects on these events in the unfolding of human history we see a foreshadowing of future messianic times in the writings of the ancient prophets. The mysteries are hidden in the timing of the event or in the actions and words that are spoke by the persons involved in the drama being recorded.        

This same principal may be

applied to supernatural events

in all Approved Apparitions

Contemporary men are in some sense blinded to reading these signs and symbols. Outside of our own neglect to pray and meditate, another reason for modern mans failure to penetrate these unspoken mysteries in Marian Apparitions could be that the interpretations may be sealed until the time appointed as in the book of Daniel.  Take Fatima for instance. As we examine the secret of Fatima it was revealed slowly by degrees over time and not completely disclosed until the year 2000. And the symbolisms contained within the recently revealed portions of the secret are also prophetic in nature pointing to a possible future calamity or apocalypse if men do not stop offending God. The Message of Fatima also predicted that if the requests at Fatima are not honored, many souls will be lost, "the Holy Father will have much to suffer", there will be further wars and persecutions of the Church and "various nations will be annihilated." The annihilation of nations predicted at Fatima has not yet occurred, but many fear that it will soon happen, given the growing immorality and corruption of the world.

21 week baby clasps doctors finger from the womb during operation. Photo ©Speramus-We Hope

Symbolisms linking

Guadalupe to Fatima and our era: Culture of Life vs. Culture 
of Death

Five centuries ago, cruel human sacrificing rituals were performed by the Aztecs on a scale never approached, even remotely, by any other peoples. Men, Women and Children, were offered to appease their serpent gods. No one will ever know how many were killed this way. Estimates start from 20,000 to 50,000 a year in several sources. The leading authority on the demography of Mexico at the time of the conquest, has revised the estimated number of persons sacrificed in central Mexico in the fifteenth century to 250,000 per year and an early Mexican historian Ixtlilxochitl estimated that one out of every five children in Mexico were sacrificed. Click for more details on the Aztec Sacrifices

These ritual killings peaked around 1487 during dedication of their new serpents temple in Mexico City. A single ceremony lasted four days and four nights, with the constant beating of giant drums made of snakeskin that could be heard for two miles. More than 80,000 men were sacrificed. No where else in human history had the ancient serpent, Satan so formalized his worship with so many of his symbols. When Our Lady appeared to Juan Deigo she called herself Guadalupe. The word Guadalupe similar to the Aztec Nahuatl word of coatlaxopeuh pronounced "quatlasupe" sounds like Guadalupe. The Nahuatal word of coatlaxopeuh is translated Coa = serpent, tla="the” and xopeuh= “to crush or stamp out. So Our Lady called herself the one "who crushes the serpent. The Aztecs understood this and hearing her name while viewing the Image she left behind they converted by the millions to the faith. Certainly, in this case our Lady crushed the serpent. So it is not surprising that for the Christian one cannot help but identify Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Woman of the Apocalypse. This interpretation was first recorded by Father Miguel Sanchez in 1648.

"A great sign appeared in the sky,
a woman clothed with the sun,
the moon at her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Revelation 12:1

The following description of the symbolism's contained within the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and how she spoke to the Aztecs without words is related by a Fr. Elizondo who writes: "Mary appears as a beautiful young Indian maiden with a look of love, compassion, and humility, her hands folded in prayer. Her pale red dress is that of an Aztec princess. Her blue mantle symbolized the royalty of the gods, and the blue color symbolized life and unity. The stars on the mantle signified the beginning of a new civilization. Mary stands in front of and hides the sun, but the rays of the sun still appear around her, signifying she is greater than the sun god, the greatest of the native divinities, but the rays of the sun still bring light. Twelve rays of the sun surround her face and head. She stands on the moon, supported by an angel with wings like an eagle: to the Aztec, this indicated her superiority to the moon god, the god of night, and her divine, regal nature. Most important are the two crosses and the black maternity band that were present in the image. Mary wore a black maternity band, signifying she was with child. At the center of the picture is found an Indian cross, the center of the cosmic order to the Indian. This symbol indicated that the baby Mary carried within her, Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, is the new center of the universe. On the brooch around her neck was a black Christian cross, indicating she is both a bearer and follower of Christ, the Son of God, and our Savior, who died on the Cross to save mankind.  Mary wore a black maternity band, signifying she was with child. At the center of the picture is found an Indian cross, the center of the cosmic order to the Indian. This symbol indicated that the baby Mary carried within her, Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, is the new center of the universe. On the brooch around her neck was a black Christian cross, indicating she is both a bearer and follower of Christ, the Son of God, and our Savior, who died on the Cross to save mankind.”

Providence of God in
The Unfolding of Time

    The Stars on Our Lady's Mantle

                                                                                                                                                             Scientists were also amazed to discover that the pattern of stars on the mantle of  the tilma reflected the exact position of the constellations on the day her image appeared on the tilma, December 12, 1531,10:40 am The Boreal Crown is located above the Virgin's head,Virgo is on her chest, in the region of her hands; Leo is on her womb; Gemini the twins are in the region of her knees and Orion is located on the Angel at her feet. Go to the following link for detailed explanations on the New discoveries on the Tilma and more diagrams on the constellations reflected on the Tilma. Heaven does nothing by chance! 

The Aztecs recognized this and It was a great sign for them who followed the passing of time with the stars. It is also a sign for our era giving another historical date for the apparition even the exact time! Could it also be a marker for a future time? Has this same lineup of stars occurred since? Will it take place again?

  
Other miracles present on Tilma
Discovered after Fatima

Miracles within A Miracle 
Linking Guadalupe for Our Generation

There were other miracles also present on the tilma  that would not be discovered for another 400 years!  In 1929 images reflected in the eyes of the Virgin were discovered for the first time. To think that this miracle within the eyes of the Virgin was present for all these centuries just waiting to be discovered and were not discovered until after the Fatima drama began. What am I saying here? That God is also speaking to us through his line of providence in the various Marian Apparitions.  God also knew that he was already known by God and in a sense reawakens Guadalupe and links it to the drama of Fatima. 

In more recent times with the appearance of modern photographic technology and advances in the science of opthomalolgy images reflected in the eyes of the Virgin were discovered in 1929 we have the first documented note of an apparent reflected image of a man's head in the right eye of the virgin by photographer Alfonso Marcue who was advised to keep silent by the bishop.

  

     The Mystery of Our Lady's Eyes

It has been said by pilgrims

 that it appears
that the eyes on the tilma are living!
Our Lady is actually seeing you

When you come before her image

She looks at you with a mothers love!

The photo shows the bearded man

Juan Diego on the right corner

discovered in 1929, 1956 and 1958.

The dark circle shows all the people present

discovered in 1979 under high magnification.

It wasn't until 1951 when another photographer Carlos Salinas examined the tilma and he observed the same reflection of a man’s head in the right eye of the Virgin. In 1956 and 1958, Dr. Torroela-Bueno and Dr. Rafael Torija-Lavoignet, both ophthalmologists examined the eyes of the Virgin on the tilma and published a study on the Purkinje-Sanson effect that is found in living human eyes. In 1979 another ophthalmologist Dr. Jose Aste Tonsmann used the latest sophisticated image processing techniques taking digitized photographs of both eyes he enlarged the image of the Virgin's eyes by 2500x magnification and said he saw not only the aforementioned single figure, but rather images of all the witnesses present when the tilma was shown to the Bishop in 1531.  Click on the following link for more Details on the Mysteries in Our Lady's eyes . Mary came in her glorified body at Guadalupe and her physical hands rearranged the roses in Juan Diego’s tilma, which makes this apparition so special like Miraculous medal apparition when St. Catherine Laboure put her hands on Mary’s lap who was sitting in a chair. An incredible list of miracles, cures and interventions are attributed to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It has been widely recognized for centuries that the preservation of the tilma is miraculous since it has maintained its integrity for nearly 500 years when similar garments normally last only about 15 years before suffering damage.

Guadalupe and Fatima reflect
Our Lady in Revelation 12:1-6  

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars: And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered. And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven diadems: And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, that there they should feed her a thousand two hundred sixty days. Revelaton:12:1-6

For the evil one and for his followers there is not much that they hate and fear more than the image of the Woman clothed with the sun the moon under her feet. This Image was shown to them before the whole creation was completed, and triggered their final rebellion and fall. This image of the one who will crush his head. But we also have a part to play in this drama, St Paul taught this when he exclaimed that we must fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. We must help our Lady with our prayers and sacrifices that she requested at Fatima. The outcome is up to us and what we choose to do with what we know. 

At Guadalupe Our Lady was hiding the sun only it's rays penetrated around her. At Fatima in the 3rd secret during the miracle of the sun she reflected a light brighter than the sun and this light from our Lady prevented the Angel of God's wrath from chastising the earth with the flames from his sword. 

There are prophetic meanings to be gleaned here. Heaven does nothing by accident. If Our Lady is prefigured in these appearances as the woman clothed with the sun in the book of Revelations she is also then the Queen of prophets. As our Lord came into the world for the first time through Mary. He will also come his second time through her. Mary the Queen of Prophets will prepare the world for his final coming at the end of time. Is this not what is happening today at Fatima and other approved Marian Sites?

What have we learned in 500 Years 

from Guadalupe to Fatima?

Granted in examining the apparitions of our Lady over the years there exists a certain correlation between Marian apparitions and specific historical situations of the times. For example Lourdes and the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. La Sallette and the approaching famine. Fatima and the World Wars.  Our Lady the spouse of the Holy Spirit is sent to convey a message from the finger of God to help us see the writing on the wall.  With sometimes a dire warnings in the book of Daniel Chapter 5: Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand in fear as it wrote: "This is the inscription that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin. "This is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:26-28 

Our Lady spouse of the Holy Spirit is the Hand of God conveying a message to the world powers  and the kingdoms of our era. "Some I will cure others I will not. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins." Looking very sad, Our Lady said: "Do not offend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended." Fatima October 13,1917

Do we think we will not see the justice of God if we continue on in our sins? If God allowed the Jewish nation to be scattered throughout the world and their temple destroyed because they did not recognize the time of their visitation.  Do we think we can continue to disregard the warnings from Heaven to ammend our lives and not have consequences to pay?  

In future posts we hope to detail the conditional prophecies at Fatima if the requests of Our Lady are not heeded. 

Our Lady said that Russia would "spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various nations will be annihilated.
 
There is not enough time to go into each apparition in order to glean the prophetic message from each one and apply them for these times. The Holy Spirit if invoked will unveil the hidden mysteries  and demonstrate their significance or connection to the Fatima Message and the Woman Clothed with the Sun in Revelation.
 
If the Apparition of Guadalupe resulted in the conversion of an entire Aztec native population from the worship of idols and human sacrifice to Christianity. Could we not hope for no less with the appearance of Our Lady at Fatima? We can and we should. She did say that in the end her Immaculate Heart will Triumph. If we follow the simple request God has asked of us from her we will see The Triumph of her Immaculate Heart and Victory over this culture of death? -Let us hope! 

Also Read: 

The Historical Story of Guadalupe translated from the Aztec Language Nahuatl

For another Historical Account of Guadalupe 

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadelupe in LaCrosse, WI 

  

This post registered on Catholic Blogger linkup for Decemberr, 2013

The Historical Story of Guadalupe translated from the Aztec Language Nahuatl

  Photo © Speramus-We Hope

 
Historical narration of the Apparitions of 

Our Lady of Guadalupe from Nican Mopohua,

written in Nahuatl, the Aztec language,

by the Indian scholar Antonio Valeriano around

the middle of the sixteenth century.

  

The Following is a literal translation

    into English from Nican Mopoha

The following account of the five apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe and is based on the oldest written record, the Nican Mopohua, written in Nahuatl about 1540 by Don Antonio Valeriano, one of the first Aztec Indians educated by the Franciscans at the Bishop's Colegio de la Santa Cruz. An illustration of the apparition with the signature of Don Antonio Valeriano and the date 1548 was recently uncovered in a private collection in 1995, and is now referred to as the Codex of 1548. The Codex 1548 has been scientifically studied and determined to be genuine, and substantiates the historical basis of the apparition of Guadalupe. Ten years after the seizure of the city of Mexico, war came to an end and there was peace amongst the people; in this manner faith started to bud, the understanding of the true God, for whom we live. At that time, in the year fifteen hundred and thirty one, in the early days of the month of December, it happened that there lived a poor Indian, named Juan Diego, said being a native of Cuautitlan. Of all things spiritually he belonged to Tlatilolco.

The First Apparition

On a Saturday just before dawn, he was on his way to pursue divine worship and to engage in his own errands. As he reached the base of the hill known as Tepeyac, came the break of day, and he heard singing atop the hill, resembling singing of varied beautiful birds.

Occasionally the voices of the songsters would cease, and it appeared as if the mount responded. The song, very mellow and delightful, excelled that of the coyoltototl and the tzinizcan and of other pretty singing birds. Juan Diego stopped to look and said to himself: “By fortune, am I worthy of what I hear? Maybe I dream? Am I awakening? Where am I? Perhaps I am now in the terrestrial paradise which our elders had told us about? Perhaps I am now in heaven?” He was looking toward the east, on top of the mound, from whence came the precious celestial chant; and then it suddenly ceased and there was silence. He then heard a voice from above the mount saying to him: “Juanito, Juan Dieguito.” Then he ventured and went to where he was called. He was not frightened in the least; on the contrary, overjoyed. Then he climbed the hill, to see from were he was being called. When he reached the summit, he saw a Lady, who was standing there and told him to come hither. Approaching her presence, he marveled greatly at her superhuman grandeur; her garments were shining like the sun; the cliff where she rested her feet, pierced with glitter, resembling an anklet of precious stones, and the earth sparkled like the rainbow. The mezquites, nopales, and other different weeds, which grow there, appeared like emeralds, their foliage like turquoise, and their branches and thorns glistened like gold. He bowed before her and herd her word, tender and courteous, like someone who charms and steems you highly. She said: “Juanito, the most humble of my sons, where are you going?” He replied: “My Lady and Child, I have to reach your church in Mexico, Tlatilolco, to pursue things divine, taught and given to us by our priests, delegates of Our Lord.” She then spoke to him: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am 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. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows. And to accomplish what my clemency pretends, go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico, and you will say to him that I manifest my great desire, that here on this plain a temple be built to me; you will accurately relate all you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. Be assured that I will be most grateful and will reward you, because I will make you happy and worthy of recompense for the effort and fatigue in what you will obtain of what I have entrusted. Behold, you have heard my mandate, my humble son; go and put forth all your effort.” At this point he bowed before her and said: “My Lady, I am going to comply with your mandate; now I must part from you, I, your humble servant.” Then he descended to go to comply with the errand, and went by the avenue which runs directly into Mexico City.

The Second Apparition

Having entered the city, and without delay, he went straight to the bishop’s palace, who was the recently arrived prelate named Father Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan religious. On arrival, he endeavored to see him; he pleaded with the servants to announce him; and after a long wait, he was called and advised that the bishop had ordered his admission. As he entered, he bowed, and on bended knees before him, he then delivered the message from the lady from heaven; he also told him all he had admired, seen, and heard. After having heard his chat and message, it appeared incredible; then he told him: “You will return, my son, and I will hear you at my pleasure. I will review it from the beginning and will give thought to the wishes and desires for which you have come.” He left and he seemed sad, because his message had not been realized in any of its forms.He returned on the same day. He came directly to the top of the hill, met the Lady from heaven, who was awaiting him, in the same spot where he saw her the first time. Seeing her, prostrated before her, he said: “Lady, the least of my daughters, my Child, I went where you sent me to comply with your command. With difficulty I entered the prelate’s study. I saw him and exposed your message, just as you instructed me. He received me benevolently and listened attentively, but when he replied, it appeared that he did not believe me. He said: “You will return; I will hear you at my pleasure. I will review from the beginning the wish and desire which you have brought.” I perfectly understood by the manner he replied that he believes it to be an invention of mine that you wish that a temple be built here to you, and that it is not your order; for which I exceedingly beg, Lady and my Child, that you entrust the delivery of your message to someone of importance, well known, respected, and esteemed, so that they may believe in him; because I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf, and you, my Child, the least of my children, my Lady, you send me to a place where I never visit nor repose. Please excuse the great unpleasantness and let not fretfulness befall, my Lady and my All.”

The Blessed Virgin answered: “Hark, my son the least, you must understand that I have many servants and messengers, to whom I must entrust the delivery of my message, and carry my wish, but it is of precise detail that you yourself solicit and assist and that through your mediation my wish be complied. I earnestly implore, my son the least, and with sternness I command that you again go tomorrow and see the bishop. You go in my name, and make known my wish in its entirety that he has to start the erection of a temple which I ask of him. And again tell him that I, in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, sent you.” Juan Diego replied: “Lady, my Child, let me not cause you affliction. Gladly and willingly I will go to comply your mandate. Under no condition will I fail to do it, for not even the way is distressing. I will go to do your wish, but perhaps I will not be heard with liking, or if I am heard I might not be believed.Tomorrow afternoon, at sunset, I will come to bring you the result of your message with the prelate’s reply. I now take leave, my Child, the least, my Child and Lady. Rest in the meantime.” He then left to rest in his home.

The Third Apparition

The next day, Sunday, before dawn, he left home on his way to Tlatilolco, to be instructed in things divine, and to be present for roll call, following which he had to see the prelate. Nearly at ten, and swiftly, after hearing Mass and being counted and the crowd had dispersed, he went. On the hour Juan Diego left for the palace of the bishop. Hardly had he arrived, he eagerly tried to see him. Again with much difficulty he was able to see him. He kneeled before his feet. He saddened and cried as he expounded the mandate of the Lady from heaven, which God grant he would believe his message, and the wish of the Immaculate, to erect her temple where she willed it to be. The bishop, to assure himself, asked many things, where he had seen her and how she looked; and he described everything perfectly to the bishop. Notwithstanding his precise explanation of her figure and all that he had seen and admired, which in itself reflected her as being the ever-virgin Holy Mother of the Savior, Our Lord Jesus Christ, nevertheless, he did not give credence and said that not only for his request he had to do what he had asked; that, in addition, a sign was very necessary, so that he could be believed that he was sent by the true Lady from heaven. Therefore, he was heard, said Juan Diego to the bishop: “My lord, hark! what must be the sign that you ask? For I will go to ask the Lady from heaven who sent me here.” The bishop, seeing that he ratified everything without doubt and was not retracting anything, dismissed him. Immediately he ordered some persons of his household, in whom he could trust, to go and watch where he went and whom he saw and to whom he spoke. So it was done. Juan Diego went straight to the avenue. Those that followed him, as they crossed the ravine, near the bridge to Tepeyacac, lost sight of him. They searched everywhere, but he could not be seen. Thus they returned, not only because they were disgusted, but also because they were hindered in their intent, causing them anger. And that is what they informed the bishop, influencing him not to believe Juan Diego; they told him that he was being deceived; that Juan Diego was only forging what he was saying, or that he was simply dreaming what he said and asked. They finally schemed that if he ever returned, they would hold and punish him harshly, so that he would never lie or deceive again. In the meantime, Juan Diego was with the Blessed Virgin, relating the answer he was bringing from his lordship, the bishop. The lady, having heard, told him: “Well and good, my little dear, you will return here tomorrow, so you may take to the bishop the sign he has requested. With this he will believe you, and in this regard he will not doubt you nor will he be suspicious of you; and know, my little dear, that I will reward your solicitude and effort and fatigue spent of my behalf. Lo! go now. I will await you here tomorrow.”

                          
The Fourth Apparition

On the following day, Monday, when Juan Diego was to carry a sign so he could be believed, he failed to return, because, when he reached his home, his uncle, named Juan Bernardino, had become sick, and was gravely ill. First he summoned a doctor who aided him; but it was too late, he was gravely ill. By nightfall, his uncle requested that by break of day he go to Tlatilolco and summon a priest, to prepare him and hear his confession, because he was certain it was time for him to die, and that he would not arise or get well.

On Tuesday, before dawn, Juan Diego came from his home to Tlatilolco to summon a priest; and as he approached the road which joins the slope to Tepeyacac hilltop, toward the west, where he was accustomed to cross, said: “If I proceed forward, the Lady is bound to see me, and I may be detained, so I may take the sign to the prelate, as prearranged; that our first affliction must let us go hurriedly to call a priest, as my poor uncle certainly awaits him.” Then he rounded the hill, going around, so he could not be seen by her who sees well everywhere. He saw her descend from the top of the hill and was looking toward where they previously met. She approached him at the side of the hill and said to him: “What’s there, my son the least? Where are you going?” Was he grieved, or ashamed, or scared? He bowed before her. He saluted, saying: “My Child, the most tender of my daughters, Lady, God grant you are content. How are you this morning? Is your health good, Lady and my Child? I am going to cause you grief. Know, my Child, that a servant of yours is very sick, my uncle. He has contracted the plague, and is near death. I am hurrying to your house in Mexico to call one of your priests, beloved by our Lord, to hear his confession and absolve him, because, since we were born, we came to guard the work of our death. But if I go, I shall return here soon, so I may go to deliver your message. Lady and my Child, forgive me, be patient with me for the time being. I will not deceive you, the least of my daughters. Tomorrow I will come in all haste.” After hearing Juan Diego’s chat, the Most Holy Virgin answered: “Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything. Do not be afflicted by the illness of your uncle, who will not die now of it. be assured that he is now cured.” (And then his uncle was cured, as it was later learned.) When Juan Diego heard these words from the Lady from heaven, he was greatly consoled. He was happy. He begged to be excused to be off to see the bishop, to take him the sign or proof, so that he might be believed. The Lady from heaven ordered to climb to the top of the hill, where they previously met. She told him: “Climb, my son the least, to the top of the hill; there where you saw me and I gave you orders, you will find different flowers. Cut them, gather them, assemble them, then come and bring them before my presence.”  Immediately Juan Diego climbed the hill, and as he reached the summit, he was amazed that so many varieties of exquisite Castilian roses were blooming, long before the time when they are to bud, because, being out of season, they would freeze. They were very fragant and covered with dewdrops of the night, which resembled precious pearls. Immediately he started cutting them. He gathered them all and placed them in his tilma. The hilltop was no place for any kind of flowers to grow, because it had many crags, thistles, thorns, nopales and mezquites. Occasionally weeds would grow, but it was then the month of December, in which all vegetation is destroyed by freezing. He immediately went down the hill and brought the different roses which he had cut to the Lady from heaven, who, as she saw them, took them with her hand and again placed them back in the tilma, saying: “My son the least, this diversity of roses is the proof and the sign which you will take to the bishop. You will tell him in my name that he will see in them my wish and that he will have to comply to it. You are my ambassador, most worthy of all confidence. Rigorously I command you that only before the presence of the bishop will you unfold your mantle and disclose what you are carrying. You will relate all and well; you will tell that I ordered you to climb to the hilltop, to go and cut flowers; and all that you saw and admired, so you can induce the prelate to give his support, with the aim that a temple be built and erected as I have asked.”  After the Lady from heaven had given her advice, he was on his way by the avenue that goes directly to Mexico; being happy and assured of success, carrying with great care what he bore in his tilma, being careful; that nothing would slip from his hands, and enjoying the fragrance of the variety of the beautiful flowers.

                               
The Image of Our Lady

When he reached the bishop’s palace, there came to meet him the majordomo and other servants of the prelate. He begged them to tell the bishop that he wished to see him, but none were willing, pretending not to hear him, probably because it was too early, or because they already knew him as being of the molesting type, because he was pestering them; and, moreover, they had been advised by their co-workers that they had lost sight of him, when they had followed him.

He waited a long time. When they saw that he had been there a long time, standing, crestfallen, doing nothing, waiting to be called, and appearing like he had something which he carried in his tilma, they came near him, to see what he had and to satisfy themselves. Juan Diego, seeing that he could not hide what he had, and on account of that he would be molested, pushed or mauled, uncovered his tilma a little, and there were the flowers; and upon seeing that they were all different rosas de Castilla, and out of season, they were thoroughly amazed, also because they were so fresh and in full bloom, so fragrant and so beautiful. They tried to seize and pull some out, but they were not successful the three times they dared to take them. They were not lucky because when then tried to get them, they were unable to see real flowers. Instead, they appeared painted or stamped or sewn on the cloth. Then they went to tell the bishop what they had seen and that the Indian who had come so many times wished to see him, and that he had reason enough so long anxiously eager to see him.

Upon hearing, the bishop realized that what he carried was the proof, to confirm and comply with what the Indian requested. Immediately he ordered his admission. As he entered, Juan Diego knelt before him, as he was accustomed to do, and again related what he had seen and admired, also the message. He said: “Sir, I did what you ordered, to go forth and tell my Ama, the Lady from heaven, Holy Mary, precious Mother of God, that you asked for a sign so that you might believe me that you should build a temple where she asked it to be erected; also, I told her that I had given you my word that I would bring some sign and proof, which you requested, of her wish. She condescended to your request and graciously granted your request, some sign and proof to complement her wish. Early today she again sent me to see you; I asked for the sign so you might believe me, as she had said that she would give it, and she complied. She sent me to the top of the hill, where I was accustomed to see her, and to cut a variety of rosas de Castilla. After I had cut them, I brought them, she took them with her hand and placed them in my cloth, so that I bring them to you and deliver them to you in person. Even though I knew that the hilltop was no place where flowers would grow, because there are many crags, thistles, thorns, nopales and mezquites, I still had my doubts. As I approached the top of the hill, I saw that I was in paradise, where there was a great variety of exquisite rosas de Castilla, in brilliant dew, which I immediately cut. She had told me that I should bring them to you, and so I do it, so that you may see in them the sign which you asked of me and comply with her wish; also, to make clear the veracity of my word and my message. Behold. Receive them.”

He unfolded his white cloth, where he had the flowers; and when they scattered on the floor, all the different varieties of rosas de Castilla, suddenly there appeared the drawing of the precious Image of the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, in the manner as she is today kept in the temple at Tepeyacac, which is named Guadalupe.

When the bishop saw the image, he and all who were present fell to their knees. She was greatly admired. They arose to see her; they shuddered and, with sorrow, they demonstrated that they contemplated her with their hearts and minds. The bishop, with sorrowful tears, prayed and begged forgiveness for not having attended her wish and request. When he rose to his feet, he untied from Juan Diego’s neck the cloth on which appeared the Image of the Lady from heaven. Then he took it to be placed in his chapel. 

Juan Diego remained one more day in the bishop’s house, at his request.

The following day he told him: Well! show us where the Lady from heaven wished her temple be erected.” Immediately, he invited all those present to go. As Juan Diego pointed out the spot where the lady from heaven wanted her temple built, he begged to be excused. He wished to go home to see his uncle Juan Bernardino, who was gravely ill when he left him to go to Tlatilolco to summon a priest, to hear his confession and absolve him. The Lady from heaven had told him that he had been cured. But they did not let him go alone, and accompanied him to his home.

As they arrived, they saw that his uncle was very happy and nothing ailed him. He was greatly amazed to see his nephew so accompanied and honored, asking the reason of such honors conferred upon him. His nephew answered that when he went to summon a priest to hear his confession and to absolve him, the Lady from heaven appeared to him at Tepeyacac, telling him not to be afflicted, that his uncle was well, for which he was greatly consoled, and she sent him to Mexico, to see the bishop, to build her a house in Tepeyacac. Then the uncle manifested that it was true that on that occasion he became well and that he had seen her in the same manner as she had appeared to his nephew, knowing through her that she had sent him to Mexico to see the bishop. Also, the Lady told him that when he would go to see the bishop, to reveal to him what he had seen and to explain the miraculous manner in which she had cured him, and that she would properly be named, and known as the blessed Image, the ever-virgin Holy Mary of Guadalupe.

Juan Bernardino was brought before the presence of the bishop to inform and testify before him. Both he and his nephew were the guests of the bishop in his home for some days, until the temple dedicated to the Queen of Tepeyacac was erected where Juan Diego had seen her. The bishop transferred the sacred Image of the lovely lady from heaven to the main church, taking her from his private chapel where it was, so that the people would see and admire her blessed Image. The entire city was aroused; they came to see and admire the devout Image, and to pray. They marveled at the fact that she appeared as did her divine miracle, because no living person of this world had painted her precious Image.

Also see: From Guadalupe to Fatima a Prophetic Mystery
Guadelupe is linked to Fatima as the Book of Revelation to the Book of Daniel!
Photos on History of Guadelupe
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadelupe LaCrosse, WI 

  

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December 10th is the Anniversary of the Fatima apparition in Pontevedra Spain requesting the 5 First Saturdays!

The Promises of Our Lady for her assistance at the hour of death and for our Salvation when we make the devotion of the 5 First Saturdays!

The Vision of  Pontevedra December 10th 1925. Our Lady and the Child Jesus who asked for compassion on the Heart of His
 Mother,  that was surrounded with thorns.

Eight years after the Fatima apparitions of 1917, when Sister Lucy was living in a convent in Pontevedra, Spain, Our Lady returned (as She had promised at Fatima) to Sister Lucy on December 10, 1925. On this occasion, Our Lady came to ask for the Communion of Reparation on the Five First Saturdays. She promised eternal salvation for Catholics who fulfill the Five First Saturdays. The Most Holy Virgin appeared to her, and by Her side, elevated on a luminous cloud, was the Child Jesus. 

Our Lady rested her hand on Lucia's shoulder and as She did so, She showed her a heart encircled by thorns, which She was holding in Her other hand. At the same time, the Child said: "Have compassion an the Heart of your Most Holy Mother, covered with thorns, with which ungrateful men pierce It at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation to remove them."

Our Lady continued speaking while looking intently at Sr. Lucia  and said:

"Look My daughter, at My Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce Me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console Me and announce in My name that I promise to assist at the moment of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep Me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."      


                     

Why Five Consecutive First Saturdays of Reparation?

The five consecutive First Saturdays of reparation were requested by Our Lady of Fatima to atone for the five ways in which people offend her Immaculate Heart:

1. Attacks upon Mary’s Immaculate Conception;

2. Attacks against her Perpetual Virginity;

3. Attacks upon her Divine Maternity and the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all mankind.

4 For those who try to publicly implant in children’s hearts indifference, contempt and even hatred of this Immaculate Mother;

5. For those who insult her directly in her sacred images.

On Feb 15, 1926 the Child Jesus appeared once more in the garden at Pontevedra to Lucia

who was still a novice and asked her a question:

 

Later, Sister Lúcia reported that on February 15, 1926 while emptying a  garbage can outside the garden, she saw a child she thought she recognized. After striking up a conversation with him, the child transformed into the Child Jesus, who then reprimanded Sister Lúcia for not doing more to promote the five First Saturdays devotion. "Have you spread devotion to the five 1st Saturdays? It is true, my daughter, that many souls begin the First Saturdays, but few finish them, and those who do complete them do so in order to receive the graces that are promised thereby. It would please me more if they did Five with fervor and with the intention of making reparation to the Heart of your heavenly Mother, then if they did Fifteen in a tepid and indifferent manner."

  How to Make the First Saturdays

• Sacramental confession

The confession can take place within the month of the First Saturday Holy Communion is received, but the Holy Communion must be received with dignity, in a state of Grace, keeping in mind that Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist.  The Intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary must be made before Holy Communion is received and should be kept in mind during your confession.

• Holy Communion

The Holy Communion has to be received within the 24 hours of the first Saturday of the Month. Attendance to Holy Mass is optional. Receiving Holy Communion as part of this devotion must be consciously intended as an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart. 

The devotee need not tell anyone else, but keep it in mind. To avoid omitting the Intention every Saturday, the General Intention for the devotion of the Act of Reparation can be mentally or outspokenly stated before starting the First Saturdays (or in between).
If a person has a valid reason not to attend Mass (Masses not available on Saturdays, sickness,or other major event), the devotee may consult a priest about receiving Communion privately or on another day with the intention of making this Communion as part of the first Saturday devotion.

• Holy Rosary The Rosary must also be recited with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart 
• Meditation  A 15 Minute Meditation must also be made on the Mysteries of the Rosary
  
  This Meditation should also be done in an Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Rosary Meditations can be done on all 15 of the mysteries or fewer but must last for 15 minutes. This meditation is in addition to the recitation of the Rosary. 
  However, One may say one 5 decade rosary and then say another as one is meditating if one has trouble focusing ones thoughts to meditate.  The Rosary and the period of Meditation my be done alone or in a group and with or without the aid of sacred scripture. It is always good to consult ones confessor when in doubt.

Help Our Lady convert poor sinners! 

Promote the First Saturday's  requested by Our Lord use this pdf. 1st. Saturday Phamplet and distribute!  
http://sicutincaelo.org/downloads/FSP.pdf
 

Read also:
Pope Francis' PRAYER to the Immaculate Conception at the Piazza di Spagna on December 8th

 

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