[NYer]

I was raised Catholic. Catholics worship Mary. Pray to Mary. Ask Mary for everything under the sun.

Ad Jesum per Mariam

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the miraculous events that took place in Mexico in the 16th century. Missionaries who first came to Mexico with the conquistadors had little success in the beginning. After nearly a generation, only a few hundred Native Mexicans had converted to the Christian faith. Whether they simply did not understand what the missionaries had to offer or whether they resented these people who made them slaves, Christianity was not popular among the native people.

Then in 1531 miracles began to happen. Jesus' own mother appeared to humble Juan Diego. The signs -- of the roses, of the uncle miraculously cured of a deadly illness, and especially of her beautiful image on Juan's mantle -- convinced the people there was something to be considered in Christianity. Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans had themselves baptized as Christians.

The first lesson is that God has chosen Mary to lead us to Jesus. No matter what critics may say of the devotion of Mexicans (and Mexican descendants) to Our Lady of Guadalupe, they owe their Christianity to her influence. If it were not for her, they would not know her son, and so they are eternally grateful. The second lesson we take from Mary herself. Mary appeared to Juan Diego not as a European madonna but as a beautiful Aztec princess speaking to him in his own Aztec language. If we want to help someone appreciate the gospel we bring, we must appreciate the culture and the mentality in which they live their lives. By understanding them, we can help them to understand and know Christ.

Read More

[Not gonna take it anymore]

Thanks for the post.

I know there is a better picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe out there. Could you please post that here instead of this Americanized one?

TIA

P.S. My image posting skills are lacking.

[Iscool]

Then in 1531 miracles began to happen. Jesus' own mother appeared to humble Juan Diego. The signs -- of the roses, of the uncle miraculously cured of a deadly illness, and especially of her beautiful image on Juan's mantle -- convinced the people there was something to be considered in Christianity. Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans had themselves baptized as Christians.

The first lesson is that God has chosen Mary to lead us to Jesus. No matter what critics may say of the devotion of Mexicans (and Mexican descendants) to Our Lady of Guadalupe, they owe their Christianity to her influence. If it were not for her, they would not know her son, and so they are eternally grateful.

Mary never appeared on the road to anywhere in the bible...It was always Jesus who appeared...Is there any confirmation from God that this 'ghost' is sent from Him???

Why wouldn't those people know her son (btw, her Son's name is Jesus Christ, the God of all Creation) without Mary??? Millions upon millions of people know Jesus Christ without the influence of Mary...