# Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe – Day One
*2008-12-02*

> Bill Young introduces a nine‑day novena honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, recounts the historic apparition, and leads listeners in the first day’s prayers.

## Introducing the Novena

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today we begin a novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to be prayed from December 3 through December 11, so that we may finish by her feast day on December 12. I’ll give a brief history of the apparition before we start the first day’s prayers.

## The Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe

On the morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, a native Mexican who had recently been baptized, was traveling across Tepeyac Hill. He saw a brilliant light and heard a beautiful, crystalline sound. A feminine voice called to him, and when he reached the summit he beheld the Blessed Virgin Mary standing in glorious light.

She spoke to him in his native language, asking that a shrine be built on that spot so that she might show her love, compassion, and protection to all who trust in her. She said, “I am your merciful Mother, to you and to all mankind who love and trust me.”

Juan was instructed to go to the bishop in Mexico City and tell him of her desire. The bishop was skeptical, so Juan returned to the hill. The Virgin asked him to return the next day and repeat her request. This time the bishop asked for a sign.

Two days later the Virgin appeared again, this time on the road as Juan was bringing a priest to his dying uncle. She told Juan to climb the hill and gather flowers that were blooming there, assuring him that his uncle would not die. Juan collected the miraculous roses and presented them to the Virgin, who instructed him to take them to the bishop.

When Juan opened his cloak before the bishop, the roses fell to the floor, and on the fabric appeared a beautiful, richly colored image of the Virgin Mary exactly as Juan had described. The bishop was astonished. The image, known as the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe, remains intact today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Through this miracle, over eight million indigenous people were brought to the faith within a few short years, and many chapels and eventually the great basilica were built on the site. Pope Pius XII proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Americas on October 12, 1945. She is also invoked for the protection of the unborn.

## Opening Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

## The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven; He sits at the right hand of the Father; He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

## Day One Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer, offered with heartfelt confidence, as I beg this favor.

May your name be hallowed; may your kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

*May this novena draw us closer to the gentle strength of Our Lady of Guadalupe.*