Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Concepcion Medina’s home parish Our Lady of Guadalupe, Medina, Texas has an inspiring image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to Juan Diego’s uncle. Sister Concepcion commented early in her steps as a Franciscan Sister, “I think there have been so many Saints that have interceded for me during my discernment of my vocation. An influence from the beginning from me has been the Virgin Mary, specifically Our Lady of Guadalupe. She has always been a mother to me and has guided me, and was especially present to me during the early parts of my discernment. If I’d had to pick one to intercede for me I’d have to request that you pray to her for me.”
The event pictured in the parish’s painting took place after Juan Diego failed to meet the Virgin Mary on December 21 as agreed. Juan felt extremely bad about not keeping this engagement, but a serious family matter demanded his attention. He needed to fetch a priest for his uncle’s death confession. Juan Bernardino is pictured fatally ill and lay lying in bed in the painting with Our Lady at his bedside. Later, when Uncle Juan Bernardino was able to visit Archbishop Juan de Zumárraga, OFM he told him the Virgin requested she be known as Guadalupe. Thus, Our Lady of Guadalupe was named.
The message of the painting is clear. When we do whatever the Lord tells us to do, Mary is there to take care of all other concerns. She did it for Juan. His uncle was cured. Mary did it for Juan. She did it for Sister Concepcion. And she will do it for you.
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