Episcopal Veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe
For centuries the Anglican tradition has held the apparition of Our Lady of Walsignham in high regard. Now, in recent times, the Episcopal Church in America has developed a devotion to the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe as more and more people of Latin American heritage join the church. The holy scriptures declare “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13) “Can a woman forget her nursing child or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these might forget, yet I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15) The figure of the Virgin Mary has embodied the maternal presence of God for Christians since antiquity. Our Lady of Guadalupe has been the way in which so many Latin American people have seen and felt the action and maternal love of God. The Book of Occasional Services 2022 Edition has included a guide for a Holy Eucharist in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A Service From The Book of Occasional Services 2022 Edition
When circumstances permit, the congregation may gather at a place
apart from the church, so that all may go into the church in procession.
Flowers, preferably roses, to be carried in the procession may be
distributed to the people before the service, or after the opening collect.
Presider: A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
People: With the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
Presider: Let us pray.
Be present with us, God our Deliverer, as you were present
with La Virgen de Guadalupe (the Virgin of Guadalupe)
who called Juan Diego her beloved son. May her example of
tender care for the poor and oppressed guide us in the way
of justice and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Deacon Let us go forth in peace.
People In the Name of Christ. Amen.
During the procession, the people may carry flowers, and appropriate hymns, psalms, or anthems are sung, such as the hymn La guadalupana. Upon arrival in the sanctuary, the Eucharist begins with the Collect of the Day.
The people standing, the Presider says
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
O God of love, you blessed your people at El Tepeyac with
the presence of La Virgen de Guadalupe: grant that her
example of love to the poor and forsaken may stir our faith
to recognize all people as members of one family. Teach
us to follow in the way you have prepared for us, that we
may honor one another in word and action, sharing with
her your commonwealth of peace; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Eucharist continues in the usual manner, using the following
Psalm and Lessons
The First Reading Zechariah 2:10–13
or A Selection from The Nican Mopohua.
Psalm 131 or 116
The Second Reading Revelation 11:19a; 12:1–6a
Gospel Luke 6:20–23
A Homily
The Prayers of the People
As we honor La Virgen de Guadalupe, may we strive for
unity among all people;
We pray to you, God of mercy.
Hear our prayer.
May the vision of Juan Diego inspire our community to
stand against prejudice, discrimination, hatred, and violence;
We pray to you, God of mercy.
Hear our prayer.
May our care for youth and children, the elderly and sick,
the weak, helpless and poor (especially _____), reflect the
love of La Virgen, revealed at Tepeyac;
We pray to you, God of mercy.
Hear our prayer.
May the vision of La Virgen strengthen us to stand with all
immigrants and refugees in their struggle in every nation and
people (especially the people of _____);
We pray to you, God of mercy.
Hear our prayer.
May those who have died (especially _____) rest in your
peace, and those who mourn (especially _____) find comfort
in fellowship with La Virgen de Guadalupe and all the saints;
We pray to you, God of mercy.
Hear our prayer.
Intercessions may be offered by the people.
The Presider adds this concluding Collect
O God of power and mercy, who gives us roses in a season
of darkness; fill us with your unexpected truth and vision
of peace among all people. By the example of La Virgen de
Guadalupe, may we seek the justice which unites all people
everywhere; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
The Presider says to the people
The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
At the Eucharist
The liturgy continues with the Offertory.
Proper Preface
Because in revealing La Virgen de Guadalupe at El Tepeyac,
you have shown us your way of justice and peace, lifted up
the small and lowly, and assured us of your great love for
the poor and weak.
In place of the usual postcommunion prayer, the following is said
Presider and People
We give you thanks, O God, for gathering your children
together in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. We
rejoice that you have remembered us; for we were scattered
and have now been drawn together from the four corners of
the earth. May we who celebrate La Virgen de Guadalupe
ever strive for peace, and serve you as witnesses of Jesus
Christ, until the Lord dawns in glory. Amen.
Following the postcommunion prayer, the Congregation may place
flowers at the image of La Virgen de Guadalupe. Appropriate hymns,
anthems, instrumental music, or songs such as Buenos días paloma
blanca may accompany this action.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, may bless the people.
The Deacon, or the Presider, dismisses the people.
Songs, hymns, and readings traditionally used on the Feast
of Our Lady of Guadalupe include the following.
Songs and Hymns
La guadalupana
Buenos días paloma blanca
Mi virgen ranchera
O virgen la más hermosa
From The Hymnal 1982
277 Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly (Raquel)
278 Sing We of the Blessed Mother (Rustington)
From El Himnario
483 Mi alma glorifica al Señor mi Dios (Cántico de María)
62 Como estrella en claro cielo (Raquel)
A Reading from The Nican Mopohua
Juan Diego returned and right at the top of the mountain
he saw the Lady from heaven, at the spot where he saw her
the first time. Seeing her, he fell down before her and said,
“Lady, the smallest of my daughters, my Child, I went where
you sent me to fulfill your mandate; though with difficulty,
to the seat of the bishop; I saw him and exposed your
message; he received me graciously and listened attentively;
but I understood by his response that he believes that it is
I who makes the request of building your temple, and that
perhaps is not your command. I strongly beg, Lady, my
Child that you send instead of me someone who is known,
respected, and esteemed. If we entrust your message to
someone like that he is sure to be believed. The Bishop does
not believe me because I am a lesser man, I’m small, I’m a no one, and you, my Child, the least of my daughters, Lady,
you send me to a place where I do not belong. Forgive me
if I cause you great sorrow.” Our Lady replied: “Listen, my
son, I understand but need you to know that I have many
servants and messengers whom I can send to do my bidding
yet I choose you. You are the one that I strictly command,
to go again tomorrow to see the Bishop. Tell him once more
who sends you and that it is my will for a temple to be built
in my honor. Tell him, that the ever-Blessed Virgin Mary,
mother of God, is the one that sends you.” Juan Diego
replied: “My Lady, My Child, I will do what you ask. I’ll do
your will; but perhaps I will not be heard with pleasure. I
know that it will be difficult for them to believe me.”
The Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe
1st Apparition: At dawn on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, an Indian convert, was going to Tlatelolco to attend catechism class and hear the Mass. As he was passing Tepeyac Hill, he saw a brilliant light on the summit and heard the strains of celestial music. Filled with wonder, he stopped. Then he heard a feminine voice asking him to ascend. When he reached the top he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary standing in the midst of a glorious light, in heavenly splendor. The beauty of her youthful countenance and her look of loving kindness filled Juan Diego with unspeakable happiness as he listened to the words which she spoke to him in his native language. She told him she was the perfect and eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, and made known to him her desire that a shrine be built there where she could demonstrate her love, her compassion and her protection. “For I am your merciful Mother”, she said, “to you and to all mankind who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. Therefore, go to the dwelling of the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin Mary sent you to make known to him her great desire.”
2nd Apparition: The Bishop was reluctant to believe Juan Diego’s story. Juan returned to Tepeyac Hill where he found the Blessed Virgin waiting for him, and told her of his failure. She bade him return to the Bishop the next day and repeat her wishes.
3rd Apparition: The Bishop then requested that the Lady give him a sign. Juan reported that evening and she promised to grant his petition on the following morning. But Juan was prevented from coming because of a sudden and severe illness of his uncle, Juan Bernardino.
4th Apparition: Two days later, on December 12, as he was going to the Church at Tlatelolco in order to bring a priest to his dying uncle, Juan Diego was stopped by the Lady, who had come down from Tepeyac Hill to meet him in the road. She listened quietly to Juan’s excuse for not having kept his appointment with her the day before. When he had finished speaking she said, “It is well, littlest and dearest of my sons, but now listen to me. Do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Do not fear for your uncle for he is not going to die. Be assured… he is already well.”
Having heard these words, Juan Diego rejoiced and asked for the sign he was to take to the Bishop. He was told to climb to the top of the hill where she had spoken to him on three previous occasions. She said he would find many flowers blooming there which he was to cut and bring to her. Juan Diego did as he was told though he knew no flowers had ever bloomed before on the stony summit. He discovered a marvelous garden of dew-fresh blossoms which he cut as she had asked. Placing them in his rough cloak, or tilma, he brought the flowers to the Lady who rearranged them and told him to take them to the Bishop; that this was the sign to persuade him to carry out her wishes.
When Juan Diego, radiantly happy, stood before Bishop Fray Juan de Zumarraga and told him of the fourth encounter with the Lady, he opened his tilma to show the Bishop the sign; the flowers cascaded to the floor – but to the astonishment of the Bishop and Juan Diego, there appeared upon the coarse fabric of the Indian’s mantle a marvelously wrought, exquisitely colored portrait of the Blessed Virgin, just as Juan Diego had previously described her.
5th Apparition: Earlier that same day, December 12, she had also appeared to Juan’s uncle, Juan Bernardino, and restored him to health as she had told Juan Diego. Juan Diego was at that time fifty-seven years old; his uncle was sixty-eight. Both had been among the first of the natives to be baptized several years before.
