Marian Helper • Winter 2025-26 • Marian.org 23 In 1847, Pope Blessed Pius IX made it official. This was still seven years before Pius IX proclaimed the dogma in 1854 in the encyclical Ineffabilis Deus: “the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the first instant of her conception … was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin.” And of course, Our Lady of Lourdes, appearing to St. Bernadette, sealed the deal. On March 25, 1858, she told Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” We celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, a Holy Day of Obligation. Our Lady of Guadalupe I tell the story of Our Lady of Lourdes, along with Our Lady of Guadalupe, in my book from Marian Press, Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope! Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope with Mary (Product code: B68-POHB). Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 on the exact spot in Mexico where the evil one had earlier inspired the worship of pagan gods. All in all, there were five apparitions. The fourth apparition occurred in the early morning of Dec. 12, when Our Lady gave Juan these heartfelt and powerful words: 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. Within the first 10 years after Our Lady of Guadalupe’s apparitions, in which Our Lady manifested herself to the native peoples of Mexico as a sign of her motherly care, it is said that 10 million people were converted from paganism and accepted the Catholic faith. Conversions continue. This is the largest mass conversion in history. Pope Venerable Pius XII declared the Virgin of Guadalupe the Empress of all the Americas. In a prayer he composed in 1945, he said, “For we are certain that as long as you are recognized as Queen and Mother, Mexico and America will be safe.” In 1990, Pope St. John Paul II visited Mexico and beatified Juan Diego. In 2002, this same pontiff canonized him. In 1999, the Holy Father declared Our Lady of Guadalupe the patroness of the Americas. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Dec. 12. Cardinal Raymond Burke fittingly tells us, “Through St. Juan Diego’s humble and courageous cooperation with grace, Our Lady’s intercession transformed the world and brought millions of souls to Christ. It is this same maternal care and protection that we seek today — a care and protection that she will grant us, should we earnestly ask for it.” Fruits of Hope To some people, God can seem scary. But a loving Mother is much less scary — and exceedingly welcoming. Remember, Mary knows our needs better than we know ourselves. We should spend more time with loving Mary and ask her to help us build upon the fruits of the Jubilee Year of Hope, fast drawing to a close. Mary is our hope! Let us never hesitate in turning to our loving Mother and Patroness who always has our salvation on her mind, continually interceding for us. She wants us to be happy in Heaven with her one day, after all. Let us earnestly beg Mary’s maternal care and protection for our country, praying together in solidarity as we look towards celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Let us earnestly beg Mary’s maternal care and protection for our country.
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