The miraculous image and the conversion of a people

From the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sacred Scripture: Psalm 147:19-20

Meditation for Day 3

When Juan Diego opened his tilma before the bishop, the roses fell to the ground and the image of Our Lady was revealed imprinted upon the cloth. In the years that followed, millions of the native peoples of Mexico embraced the Gospel. What the Psalmist sang of Israel — that God 'declares his word to Jacob' as to no other nation (Ps 147:19-20) — was poured out upon the New World through Mary.

St. John Paul II called her 'Star of the first and new evangelization.' Today's prayer asks that the same evangelizing grace touch the Americas anew, and that hardened hearts be opened as they were at Tepeyac.

Daily Novena Prayer (recited every day)

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. John Paul II, 1999)

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of Peace! Save the nations and peoples of this continent. Teach everyone, political leaders and citizens, to live in true freedom and to act according to the requirements of justice and respect for human rights, so that peace may thus be established once and for all. To you, O Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, belong all the love, honour, glory and endless praise of your American sons and daughters!

From the prayer St. John Paul II addressed to Our Lady of Guadalupe at the conclusion of his homily at the Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico City, January 23, 1999. Recited each of the nine days.