Spirituality Resources

To Parents and Catechists: We honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under many titles. This week's resource describes how Mary became known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. The children will need large paper shopping bags and colored tissue to do this activity.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration

On December 9, 1531, Our Lady appeared to a poor Mexican Indian named Juan Diego. It happened on a hill called Tepeyac, near Mexico City.

Our Lady told Juan that she wanted the bishop to build a church for all the people on the hill. Juan went to the bishop with Mary's message. The bishop did not believe. He asked for a sign.

On December 12, Our Lady visited Juan again. She told him to gather roses in his cloak and go to the bishop.

Juan stood before the bishop and opened his cloak. Roses fell on the floor. The bishop was stunned. Roses in winter! Then he saw on the inside of Juan's cloak a picture of Our Lady! The bishop now believed. He had a church built on the hill as Our Lady of Guadalupe had asked. All the people came there to honor Mary.

Until Mary visited Juan Diego many native Mexicans thought that only the rich and powerful could be Christian. Mary helped them to see, through Juan Diego, that all people were welcome in God's family.

My Prayer Goes On
Share a prayerful celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast with a group of younger children or other prayer groups. You may want to first dramatize the story.

Say the prayer on the card below. Then color the card to give as a gift. If you wish, put the card in the piñata you will make with your prayer group. Then share the breaking of the piñata at the end of your celebration. Use a rolled up newspaper for the instrument to break the piñata. Follow these directions as you help to make the prayer piñata.

1. Look at the completed piñata before you begin. A large paper shopping bag is used as the base.

2. Use brightly colored tissue paper to cut in strips to put on the outside of the piñata.

3. Attach your strips to the piñata.

4. Fill the decorated piñata with prayer cards and treats.