Blog by Lisset Mendoza, Director of the Dominican Learning Center.[/caption]
She is more than just the mother of Jesus - she is the mother of all Mexicans and part of our Mexican national identity.
I can recall my early childhood years: our family and church community praying the rosary for 12 days before her feast day, going on pilgrimages, dressing up in traditional Mexican indigenous attire, waking up in the early morning hours to visit her and serenade her with songs. All of these memories are near and dear to my heart. My entire family has a strong devotion to our Lady - both Catholic and non-Catholic believers.
Thanks to God and the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I became a mother. Two doctors told me that chances of becoming pregnant were 10%. I prayed to our Lady for months and asked her if it was in God’s will to make me a mother, to allow for it to happen. If it were not God’s will, I would learn to live with His plan for me.
After only two months of prayer, I started to have odd symptoms and took a pregnancy test. Then I took another and another!
I called my doctor right away and again she said there was no way, the test must be wrong. She sent me to a lab where they ran a blood test. Sure enough, a day and a half later, she called and officially told me I was pregnant.
My son is truly our miracle child. As my husband and I considered names for our coming child, the name MATEO, which means Gift of God, was our first choice. Our Mateo was born on December 11th, just hours before the Feast of our Lady. I know this is no coincidence.
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Lisset Mendoza and her husband with a statue of our Lady.[/caption]
I urge you to believe in her magical being and to enjoy one of my favorite songs to her.
¡Feliz día de la Virgen de Guadalupe!