Mother of the indigenous peoples and of all the marginalized

From the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sacred Scripture: Isaiah 49:15

Meditation for Day 5

Mary came to Tepeyac wearing the features and dress of the native peoples, making herself one of them. The Lord had promised through Isaiah that even should a mother forget her child, 'yet I will not forget you' (Is 49:15); at Guadalupe Mary became the unforgetting mother of a wounded people.

St. John Paul II invoked her as 'gentle Lady of Tepeyac, Mother of indigenous peoples and Afro-Americans, for immigrants and refugees.' Today's prayer asks her intercession for all who are marginalized, displaced, or despised, that the Church may recognize them as her favoured children.

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.