(1474-1548) Cuauhtlatoatzin, a name that means “the eagle who speaks,” was a married field laborer near modern-day Mexico City. He converted to Christianity with his wife at 50 years old, and took the name Juan Diego at his baptism. They had no children, and she died a few years later. Around age 55, on December 9, 1531, he encountered an apparition of a beautiful woman on a hill who asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church there. Three days later, she provided the miraculous sign for the bishop in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Pope Saint John Paul II said at Juan Diego’s beatification on May 6, 1990, “Living the life of a hermit here near Tepeyac, he was a model of humility. The Virgin chose him from among the most humble as the one to receive that loving and gracious manifestation of hers which is the Guadalupe apparition.” Humility gives us the ability to trust completely in God. How have you trusted God in recovery even when you could not understand?
“Let not your heart be disturbed…Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection?” (Our Lady to Saint Juan Diego).
Reflection by Brad Farmer