Patroness of the unborn and of human life

From the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sacred Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Meditation for Day 4

The image of Guadalupe shows Mary as a woman with child, wearing the high maternity sash of native custom — she carries the Lord of Life within her. For this reason the faithful invoke her as protectress of the unborn, recalling that God says, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you' (Jer 1:5).

At the Basilica, St. John Paul II pleaded: 'the time has come to banish once and for all from the continent every attack against life.' Today's prayer entrusts to Our Lady of Guadalupe every child in danger, every expectant mother, and the cause of the protection of human life from conception to natural death.

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.