Our Lady of Guadalupe seems to be working in my life. I really only became familiar with this version of our Blessed Mother a few months ago but since she seems to be following me and is becoming so significant in my life, I thought I would chronicle my relationship with her here.
My journey with Our Lady began about 2 years ago. I became very interested in the Fatima apparitions and started to read anything I could find about them. I have a special love for Our Lady of Fatima and for Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. Reading about Fatima gave me a desire to become closer to our Holy Mother and start praying the rosary more faithfully. Even though I am a cradle Catholic and had a special fondness for Mary, I never really prayed to her or looked to her for help. Now I see how important she is, not only as a historical figure, but for the role she plays in our salvation. As a Mother to five children, I rely pretty heavily on her grace to get me through the days.
My story of Our Lady of Guadalupe begins on August 15th, 2011. I attended an information night for a Homeschool Program. The program has two parts. An academic program and an enrichment program. I had been planning to sign up for the enrichment program with my 4 youngest children for over a year. The program runs once a week and the children are able to participate in a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd class, Pre-school class (for my 4 year old) and Music and Gym classes (for my 6 year old).
I had not been considering the academic program prior to the summer, but there had been a change in my eldest daughter's school situation. She was not invited back to the program she had been a part of for two years. It was a hybrid homeschool/cyber charter/gifted learner program that she loved being a part of. I was in the process of trying to discern what to do about her school situation. She would be in 8th grade and she had attended both our local public school and our parish school. Neither school met her needs and in the 6th grade I took her out of our parish school and found the scholars program. She loved it and spent two years there. The program exceeded our expectations for academics and she was doing some really advanced work there. While the program met all her academic needs, it wasn't nurturing her soul. We were really upset when she was not invited back but upon reflection I can see that God had a plan for her and he needed to close that door hard in order for us to look for another one.
So I attended the meeting for the academic Homeschool program with an open mind and an open heart. I was very unsure what to do with my eldest daughter. The idea of me homeschooling her was daunting. She is an advanced learner and was used to being in a structured school environment. The meeting is a little fuzzy for me to remember because I left the room to nurse my youngest daughter and didn't hear everything that was said. I do not remember all the people that were there but what I do remember clearly is how impressed I was by the woman that started this program. She is a mother of 8 grown children. Her youngest daughter was adopted from Mexico and the story of the adoption is beautiful. It is not my story and I could not do it justice to retell is here but the adoption took place after "A" began to see Our Lady of Guadalupe everywhere. She had not been familiar with her before but was drawn to her and could see that Our Lady had a plan for her. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Homeschool Program and also the other Ministries that "A" and her family are involved with.
Fast forward a few days later. My husband was traveling and I had a very rough week with the girls. My eldest daughter and I had an argument and I was distraught and wondering what on earth to do about her school situation. I felt that I was incapable of having her home with me and teaching her gracefully. After many tears (both of us) and a really tough evening, I said my rosary and she joined me. My second and third daughter snuck into my room and joined us as well. So a really awful day was ended in a beautiful way. Three of my daughters saying the rosary with me and a night of prayer and reflection on my part.
The next day I told the girls to get dressed and get into the car. I had no idea what my plan was, but I knew that I wanted us to go out and do something fun. We hopped into the car and I just started driving with no destination in mind. As we were driving I started telling my eldest daughter about the Homeschool program and about "A" and her daughter. I told her that talking to "A" was like talking to the Holy Spirit. She has such a peaceful and holy presence about her. My daughter was interested in the story but I don't think she thought much about the idea of being homeschooled. We drove west for about an hour or so until we came upon this cute little Village of shops. I had been to them a couple times before but the last time was about 5 years ago when my sister was visiting us. We got out and wandered around the shops and just enjoyed the lovely day and each other's company. I decided to get some ice cream for the girls as a treat. As I turned to ask one of them which flavor they wanted, I looked up and saw "A" just a few feet away with her daughter. She came right over and gave me a hug and said "I guess I was meant to see you today." We talked a bit about the home school program and I introduced her to all my girls. I think I had a short conversation with her but I was a bit preoccupied with the overwhelming realization that I was witnessing the answer to my prayer. A clear and strong answer to my prayer. When we got back into the car to drive home, my eldest daughter looked at me and asked "Am I going to the program?" I said "I should think so! I am not going to argue with the Holy Spirit, are you?" She laughed. I could end the story here and it is still pretty amazing but this is only the beginning of our journey with with Our Lady of Guadalupe.
It seems like she is everywhere that I go, so I am going to try and list all my encounters. Hopefully I do not forget any of them!
August 15th - Attended Meeting and heard the story of "A" and Our Lady of Guadalupe's mission for her
August 19th - Ran into "A" and got the answer to my prayer about school situation for Miss Dramatic
October 21st-23rd - We went on a Family Retreat Weekend. Saw Our Lady of Guadalupe all over the retreat house. They had no less than 3 paintings of her.
November 12th - My husband bought me the framed Our Lady of Guadalupe picture as well as the poster of the Tilma.
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| Picture of Our Lady as you walk into my house |
November 14th - My husband had a job interview in Baltimore. I decided that we should all drive together and the girls and I could spend the day doing fun and educational things in the city. (Benefit to homeschooling) I took them to the Baltimore Basilica to look around. We ended up getting there in time for Mass and sitting in front of this lovely woman who works there and offered to give us a tour. She took us into the catacombs and as we were looking around, who did we see? Our Lady! The tour guide was very impressed when Miss Comedian (the 4 year old) said "There's Our Lady of Guadalupe! There were only 2 statues in the catacombs - Our Lady and Jesus. I felt that this was also an answer to prayer. We are not sure that we are ready to move out of state, but I feel that my husband is meant to take this job.
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| Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Baltimore Basilica |
December 8th - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - I wasn't ready for Mass in time to make it to our parish so we went to the Church down the street. Had to take a fussy baby out of the sanctuary and a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe was there waiting for me.
December 9th - I had a cookie swap at my house and one of my friends gave me a Christmas gift. An Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena booklet and prayer card.
December 12th - Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Went to visit a High school option for Miss Dramatic. She made up her mind that she was not going to like it. She was accepted to a prestigious, all girls private high school and really had her heart set on going there. The tuition is way out of our price range. The school we visited today goes from Preschool through High school and is extremely Catholic. I had a wonderful sense of peace there and could see all of my children attending it. The teachers, staff, and students seem to be faith filled and vibrant. We ran into Our Lady of Guadalupe several times as we toured the school and both my daughter and her best friend have decided that they want to go there next year!
December 19th - Two of the girls in my Little Flowers Group gave me a book and bookmark of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I have never mentioned my devotion to her to their Mothers.
December 20th - Went to a special Holy Hour at my parish with a traveling Icon/Relic of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Amazing that she was at our parish! Amazing that I heard about it since it was not advertised and was rather last minute. I brought Miss Dramatic and Miss Musical. We got blessed holy cards and I touched my card to the Icon, which had been touched to the Tilma and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.
January 28th 2012 - Went to confession, benediction, rosary, and Mass at a different parish. Guess who I saw as soon as I walked into the Church? Yup. Our Lady of Guadalupe was present.
May 5th - I haven't been doing a good job keeping up with my sightings as she has been here and there in my travels but today I had one that I felt worthy of noting. Driving to a Pro-Life meeting at Church and I saw a woman walking down the street wearing a t-shirt with.... yup, Our Lady of Guadalupe!
May 26th - Went to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal with my Little Flowers group. As we were praying for our intentions in the candle chapel, I looked up and saw her.
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