The Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, a revered icon of the Virgin Mary, holds a special place in the spiritual and cultural fabric of Mexico and beyond. Believed to have appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous peasant, in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac, her image miraculously imprinted on his tilma has inspired devotion for centuries. This sacred figure, symbolizing faith, hope, and the blending of indigenous and Spanish cultures, continues to draw millions of pilgrims to her basilica in Mexico City each year, making it one of the most visited religious sites in the world. Her story is not just a testament to miraculous faith but also a powerful emblem of cultural identity and resilience.
Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, that in thy celestial apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, thou didst promise to show thy compassion and pity towards all whom, loving and trusting thee, seek thy help and call upon thee in their necessities and afflictions. Thou didst promise to hearken to our supplications, to dry our tears and to give us consolation and relief. Never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Mary, ever Virgin Mother of the True God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves in thy august presence; certain that thou wilt deign to fulfill thy merciful promises. We are full of hope that, standing beneath thy shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor need we fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow. Thou hast decided to remain with us through thy admirable image, thou who art our Mother, our health and our life. Placing ourselves beneath thy maternal gaze and having recourse to thee in all our necessities we need do nothing more. O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer us. Amen. (Here mention your petition.) Five Hail Marys...in gratitude for the four apparitions to Juan Diego and the one to Juan Bernardino