So much TV talk about Mexico these days. And I think of that country's troubles and its dear people, the Lady of Guadalupe and her shrine in Mexico City. Pope John Paul II presented the Guadalupe to us as patroness of our hemisphere.
Here is her litany, composed by Father Elizondo. The prayer is very beautiful and deep. If we pray it slowly and thoughtfully it can evolve us, each line invading our sub-conscious, which is the underneath of our minds, our dream place, where we often don't go, for fear of change.
Mother of orphans,
Mother of the rejected,
Mother of the unwanted,
Mother of the unrecognized,
Mother of the powerless,
Mother of the voiceless,
Mother of the oppressed,
Mother of migrants,
Mother of the marginalized,
Mother of the destitute,
Mother of foreigners,
Mother of immigrants,
Mother of the homeless,
Mother of those considered gift-less,
Mother of those who see no value in their lives,
Mother of those who have no political influence,
Mother of those who have no reason to hope,
Mother of consolation,
Mother of those who say yes to Jesus,
Mother of Providence,
From becoming oppressive, deliver us.
From becoming cynical,
From denying options to the poor,
From becoming opportunists,
From becoming deaf to the voices of prophets,
From becoming blind to injustice,
From becoming complacent,
From becoming ungrateful servants,
From becoming arrogant,
From becoming elitists,
Model of love and compassion, may we imitate you.
Model of hope and new life,
Model of evangelizaton,
Model of simplicity,
Model of justice for the poor,
Enabler of the downtrodden,
Example of receptivity,
Example of humility,
Example of sensitivity,
Bridge builder of cultures,
Respecter of diversity,
Virgen Morena, "Dark Virgin," Mother of God, Lady of Guadalupe, we commit ourselves to follow your example, to be life-givers and receptive to new life. We will be faithful followers in our love towards the poor, in our desire to give dignity to all people and to treat all the abandoned with tenderness. Let us live with constant confidence that we need not fear when we acknowledge you as our Mother, Mother of god. Grant that we may participate in your plan for new life and give us faith in the daily miracles that you and your Son, Jesus, work in our lives. Amen
