“Am I not here, who am your  mother?

Are you not protected under my shadow?

Am I not the cause of your joy?

Are you not wrapped in my mantle?

Embraced by my arms?

Do you need anything else?


OUR LADY

OF

GUADALUPE

PRAYER BOOK

(Novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

”The Mother of Life”


Introduction

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on Dec.9,10, and 12, 1531 at Tepeyac Hill, Mexico, to St. Juan Diego, a 57 yr. old widower (considered to be an old man during that time), and a humble, simple native Mexican Aztec; a new convert, who was willing to walk barefooted several miles to attend Mass and catechetical classes.

Our Lady appeared as a beautiful young lady, bright as the rising sun, carrying Jesus in her womb - Sto. Nino de Vientre.  In the cover painting, the baby Jesus is surrounded by the singing birds proclaiming the dawn of salvation from the first moments of His conception in the womb of the Blessed Mother.

The Blessed Virgin has been called Our Lady of Guadalupe because the native Aztec word she used "tecoataxopeuh" sounded like Guadalupe, a title of Mary in Extremadura, Spain. The meaning of the word reminds us of her Immaculate Conception, "the one who crushes the head of the serpent."

Our Lady of Guadalupe has brought us a message of maternal compassion: ...  I am the perfect, ever-virgin Mother of the One Great God of truth, who has given us life ...  owner of all...

... I would like that my little holy house be built where I can show and give Him to all races through much love because I am the Mother of Mercy; there I will listen to their weeping, sadness. I will remedy, cleanse, and nurse all their troubles, suffering and miseries.

... My dearest and youngest son, though I can send other messengers, it is necessary that you yourself plead to the bishop to build this sacred house.

... Do not fear or let sickness or any hurt disturb you; am I not here, who am your mother? Are you not protected under my shadow?  Am I not the cause of your joy?  Are you not wrapped in my mantle?  Embraced by my arms? Do you need anything else?

The first proof of the authenticity of the apparition was the heavenly-painted image of Our lady of Guadalupe on the tilma of Juan Diego. This was witnessed by Bishop Zumarraga when, one winter day, Juan Diego presented before him a tilma filled with different kinds of roses.  As the roses fell, the image of Our Lady appeared.

The tilma remain intact until now despite its weak material and the explosion of a bomb near it.

Considered mysterious also are the image of Juan Diego, Bishop Zurnarraga, and other found by some experts in the eyes of Mary.  Mary also cured the grave sickness of Juan Bernardino, the uncle of Juan Diego.  Moreover, the fast evangelization of the Americas and the end of human sacrifices to the Aztec God were attributed through her intercession.  This apparition was confirmed by Pope John Paul II on August 31,2002 during the canonization rite of Juan Diego.


DIFFERENT NAMES ASSOCIATED YO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Pro-life Patroness especially of the Unborn, Sick, Aging, Disabled, and Other whose lives are

marginalized (USAD-O).

Mother of Life

One of the most basic issues today is the conflict between the Culture of Life and Culture of Death. Because of materialism and secularization, the respect for life has diminished and is threatened to be lost.  Through the devotion of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Life, the value of life will be uplifted and promulgated.

Compassionate, Merciful Mother of Family/ Church/ Community

The devotion to our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us of the next greatest value of life in the context of home/family/community that starts in the womb, and continues to grow in all forms of community whose primary objective is to respect, protect, and nourish life within them.  It is wonderful to know that the Greek root word for compassion and womb is the same, "sprangena".  It is so clear therefore, that the call of Our Lady is to imitate her, who received, cared for, and shared the incarnate Son of God through a genuine community/home, which is compassionate, caring, and conductive to protection, healing and growth of life.

Queen of the Gospel of Life

She carried and shared Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through this Devotion Mary offers Jesus in the womb (Sto.Nino de Vientre) to the unbelieving World that threatens life from the womb onwards.

Patroness of the Pregnant and the Unborn

Secondary Patroness of the Philippines

Although Pope Pius XI declared on July 16, 1935 that Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the Philippines, Pope Pius XII issued a bill on September 12, 1942 declaring that the Immaculate Conception is the principal and universal patroness of the Philippines.

Patroness of the Indigenous, Native People

Miraculous Virgin

Patroness of Nature primary of human life from the womb onwards, and Patroness of ecology.

Patroness of those who want to have a child.

Patroness of Elders

Patroness of Photographers


PRACTICE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVOTION

TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE AS PRO-LIFE PATRONESS

l.  Prayer to Sto. Nino de Vientre (Jesus in the womb)

2.  12th of life prayer

The most significant number of this devotion is 12. The light of the sun symbolizes life; the culmination of it is 12 noon. Thus, 12 noon reminds us of the culmination of life.  12 midnight- is the start of the new day.  So, 12 O'clock noon and midnight are both culmination and beginning.  And that is life-dynamic, moving.  The past is gone and the future is not yet.  Each new day is both a culmination of the past and a beginning.  Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of Life and Pro-life Patroness, champion's life in whatever Stage it is in, especially the Unborn, the Sick, the Aging, the Disabled and Others(USAD-O) in the context of the womb or compassionate community. She wants us to appreciate and celebrate life-made in the image and likeness Of God!

3. Everyone is encouraged to praise God through Mary by frequently saying "Ma... BUHAY" while

thinking of the compassionate Mama Mary (Ma...) and Jesus the Life (BUHAY).


Our Lady Of Guadalupe

Guadalupe is strictly the name of a picture, but was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town that grew up around. The picture really constitutes Guadalupe representing the Immaculate Conception, being the lone figure of the woman with the sun, moon, and star accompaniments of the great apocalyptic sign, and in addition a supporting angel under the crescent.

History

On Saturday, December 9, 1531, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Juan Diego on his way down Tepeyac hill to hear Mass in Mexico City. The Blessed Virgin told Juan Diego to go to Bishop Zumarraga to ask him to build a church for her where she appeared. The bishop asked Juan-to a--sTMie"Cay for a sign.

On December 12 on his way to the convent to get a priest for his uncle who was dying, the Blessed Virgin who called herself Holy Mary of Guadalupe appeared again. Juan Diego told the Virgin about his uncle whom she instantly cured. Juan Diego told the Blessed Virgin that the bishop asked for a sign. She told him to go up to the rocks and gather roses. He found the roses where the Blessed Virgin said and he gathered them on to his long cactus-fiber cloak called tilma

The Holy Mother rearranged the roses. She told him not to touch them and to go back to the bishop. Upon arriving Juan showed Zumarraga the roses. As he unfolded his cloak the roses fell out. The bishop and his attendants knelt before him. On his tilma the life size figure of the Virgin Mother, just as he had described her, was glowing!

A great mural decoration in the renovated basilica commemorates the scene. The picture was venerated, guarded in the bishop's chapel. The Our Lady of Guadalupe is the national patron of the Americas and the feast day is December 12.


ACT OF CONTRITION

Oh My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee,

And I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell,

But most of all', I have offended Thee my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life,

Amen.

(Reading of letter of petition and/or letter of thanksgiving or a Bible passage or Reflection.)

OPENING PRAYER

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Life, dearest Daughter of God the Father, Most pure Mother of God, the Son; and holiest Spouse of God, the Holy Spirit, we offer to you this novena in praise of the graces bestowed upon you by God, the creator and Owner of life.

Through this novena, we meditate on the mystery of our redemption through Jesus your Son, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help us to imitate your life together with Jesus so that we may obtain, as your children, your mercy and care for the glory of God and for the good of our body and soul through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

MAGNIFICAT

Leader       :        My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,

Response :        For He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

Leader       :        From this day, all generations will call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me. And Holy is His name.

Response :        He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

Leader       :        He has shown strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

Response :        He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

Leader       :        He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

Response :        He has come to the help of His servant Israel, for He has remembered His promise of mercy.

Leader       :        The promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and His children forever.

Response :        Amen.


REFLECTION

Let us meditate on the very first extraordinary grace bestowed by God to Our Lady of Guadalupe, that is, the Immaculate Conception.  This means that Mary was conceived without original sin in the womb of her mother St Anne.  God gave her His grace because she would become the living sanctuary of God-made-man, Jesus Himself.

Let us then ask God to make our poor body and soul as His living sanctuary through holy acts of respecting and valuing life from the first moment of conception onwards.

(pause)

When the designated time came, the Son of God became man in the womb of the Blessed Virgin.  The angel announced that Mary would be the Mother of the Son of the Most High God, through the Holy Spirit, Mary answered:  "Be it done to me according to your word:  For nine months she carried the Holy Child in her womb.

Let us then ask Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Grace to follow God's will in poverty and in life and in death.  If we do our duties to God and to others, we are following the will of God.

(pause)

Let us pay attention to the Visitation of Mary to Zechariah and Elizabeth.  When Mary arrived in the house of her cousin Elizabeth to serve her, Elizabeth exclaimed:  " Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your womb", at that time, both of them were pregnant, Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John the Baptist.  The baby jumped in the womb of Elizabeth when he felt that Mary and Jesus were in their home. Mary with Jesus in her womb has been the channel of God's grace for the family of Zechariah and Elizabeth.  She is indeed the co-mediatrix of God's grace.  She has also given us an example of true service to one's neighbor.

(pause)

(Please kneel)


PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

For the unborn, that they may be respected and valued in the same way that Our Lady of Guadalupe respected and valued Jesus in her womb, let us pray to the Lord through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Response:        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness and Mother of life, pray for us.

For the sick and for those who are physically, morally and spiritually weak, that they may receive healing and strength.  Let us pray to the Lord through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Response:        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness and Mother of life, pray for us.

For the grieving, the desperate and those who are disheartened by their problems in life especially the aging, that they may experience joy, peace and strength of mind and heart to continue praising and serving God and fellow human beings.  Let us pray to the Lord through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Response:        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness and Mother of life, pray for us.

Because of physical disabilities, many of our brothers and sisters are tempted to lose hope and strength; may they discover their potentials to be of service to others through prayers, counseling, witnessing to their faith, hope and love. Let us pray to the Lord, through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Response:        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness and Mother of life, pray for us.

There are still many others who need the help of God especially the youth.  Let us pray to the Lord through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Response:        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness and Mother of life, pray for us.

Let us pray for our own personal intention and for all those who have no one to pray for them (pause).  Let us pray to the Lord through the intercession of Mother Mary.

Response:        Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness and Mother of life, pray for us.


CONCLUDING PRAYER

0 most sweet Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of our lives, we give you thanks for the graces bestowed upon us and our families.  May you continue to look after our health, strength and life so that we may be ruled by real Christian values:  praying together, loving every member of our families, and helping our neighbors, since all of us are children of only one Father in heaven and are called to build one body and one fold in Christ.

May our unity be made manifest in our good relations with one another, and in involving ourselves in different aspects of evangelization.  We hope to receive these graces for your honor, and for the good of our lives. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of life, pray for us.

************

PRAYER TO STO NINO DE VIENTRE

(JESUS IN THE WOMB)

Lord Jesus, within nine months you began to take flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mother of Guadalupe.  You, who had sanctified your Mother, did the same to St. John the Baptist while he was still in the womb of St. Elizabeth.  Through the intercession of the Virgin Mother of Guadalupe, who appeared to Juan Diego as she carried you in her womb, sanctify and protect the lives that you have given us.

May this devotional prayer be a worthy instrument in giving you honor, dearest Sto Nino de Vientre.  You allowed the first moment of your life as Redeemer and Savior to take place inside the caring womb of Mary.  We address this devotion to you, Sto Nino de Vientre, for all the unborn and their parents, as well as for all those whose lives are threatened by the present culture of death, especially the sick, the handicapped, the aging and many others.

Pray Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be (4 times)

(In honor of the Blessed Trinity and Our Lady of Guadalupe).


Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe,

according to your message in Mexico

I venerate you as "The Virgin Mother of the True God for whom we live,

the Creator of all the world, maker of heaven and earth."

In spirit I kneel before your most holy Image

which you miraculously imprinted upon the cloak of the Indian Juan Diego,

And with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit your shrine,

I beg you for this favor:

“To be a generous, self-sacrificing, Faithful Marian Catechist all the days of my life.”

Remember, 0 Immaculate Virgin,

The words you spoke to your devout client,

'I am a merciful Mother to you and to all your people who love me and trust in me, and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and their sufferings. "

 I beg you to be a merciful Mother to me,

Because, I sincerely love you, trust in you and invoke your help.

I entreat you, Our Lady of Guadalupe,

To grant my request,

If this should be the Will of God,

In order that I may

"Bear witness to your love, your compassion, your help and protection."

Do not forsake me in my needs.

Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Pray for us.

Hail Mary ... (3 times)


First Day

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

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Second Day

O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of Guadalupe.  Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son's holy will always:  May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Third Day

O Mary, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway.  Obtain for me the strength to be a true imitator of you. This I ask you, my dear Mother.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Fourth Day

Dearest Mother of Guadalupe, I beg you for a fortified will to imitate your divine Son's charity, to always seek the good of others in need.  Grant me this, I humbly ask of you.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Fifth Day

O most holy Mother, I beg you to obtain for me pardon of all my sins, abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on, and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Sixth Day

Mary, Mother of vocations, multiply priestly vocations and fill the earth with religious houses which will be light and warmth for the world, safety in stormy nights.  Beg your Son to send us many priests and religious.  This we ask of you, 0 Mother.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Seventh Day

O Lady of Guadalupe, we beg you that parents live a holy life and educate their children in a Christian manner; that children obey and follow the directions of their parents; that all members of the family pray and worship together.  This we ask of you, 0 Mother.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Eight Day

With my heart full of the most sincere veneration, I prostrate myself before you, O Mother, to ask you to obtain for me the grace to fulfill the duties of my state in life with faithfulness and constancy.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.

Ninth Day

O God, You have been pleased to bestow upon us unceasing favors by having placed us under the special protection of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Grant us, your humble servants, who rejoice in honoring her today, upon earth, the happiness of seeing her face to face in heaven.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory.


CHAPLET OF

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

How to pray the Chaplet of Our Lady of Guadalupe

This Chaplet of Guadalupe consists of six unite of a single bead and a group of three beads. The single beads signify the Miraculous Vision of Our Lady.

Make the sign of the cross. Say the Apostles' Creed.

Say one Our Father.  

First Meditation

"Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Mystical Rose,

make intercession for our Holy Church,

protect the sovereign Pontiff,

help all those who invoke you in their necessities,

and since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God,

obtain for us from your most Holy Son the grace of keeping our faith,

of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, of burning charity,

and the precious gift of final perseverance."  Amen.

Say three Hail Mary.

Say the Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen

Say one Our Father.  

Second Meditation

"Our Lady of Guadalupe,

my Queen and my Mother,

I thank you for your first apparition to Blessed Juan Diego

when you revealed that you are the Most Pure Virgin, Mary, Mother of the True God and Mother of all mankind.  I thank you for requesting a temple to be built where you stood,

to bear witness to your love,

your compassion, your aid and your protection

for all who would love you, trust you, and invoke your help."

Say three Hail Mary.

Say the Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen

Say one Our Father

Third Meditation

"Our Lady of Guadalupe,

my Queen and my Mother,

I thank you for your second apparition to Blessed Juan Diego when,

upon his return from the Bishop's house, he knelt in humiliation and defeat before you

since he was unable to accomplish your mission. I thank you for the courage

and encouragement you gave to Blessed Juan Diego to make a second appeal to the Bishop."

Say three Hail Mary.

Say the Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen

Say one Our Father.  

Fourth Meditation

"Our Lady of Guadalupe,

my Queen and my Mother,

I thank you for your third apparition to Blessed Juan Diego when,

after this unsuccessful attempt to have a temple built, you said to him,

'So be it, son.  Return tomorrow in order that you may secure for the Bishop,

the sign for which he has asked.

When this is in your possession, he will believe you;

he will no longer doubt your word and suspect your good faith.

Be assured that I shall reward you for all that you have undergone."'

Say three Hail Mary.

Say the Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen

Say one Our Father.  

Fifth Meditation

Our Lady of Guadalupe,

my Queen and my Mother,

I thank you for your fourth apparition to Blessed Juan Diego

when you ordered him to pick the roses he would find on the summit of the hill and bring them to you. I thank you for arranging them in his tilma when you said, 'This cluster of roses is the sign that you shall take to the Bishop.  You are to tell him, in my name, that in this he will recognize my will and that he must fulfill it.  You will be my ambassador, wholly worthy of my confidence.  Only in the presence of the Bishop shall you unfold your mantle and disclose that which you carry.

I thank you for your image printed on the tilma

which appeared when the roses were released.

Say three Hail Mary.

Say the Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen

Say one Our Father.  

Sixth Meditation

Remember, 0 most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe,

that in thy celestial apparition on the Mount of Tepeyac,

thou didst promise to show thy compassion and pity towards all who,

loving and trusting thee,

seek thy help and call upon thee in their necessities and afflictions;

also to hearken to our supplications,

to dry our tears and to give us consolation and relief.

Inspired with this confidence

We come before thy august presence,

Certain that thou wilt deign to fulfill thy merciful promises.

We are full of hope that,

standing beneath thy protection nothing will trouble or afflict us.

Thou has desired to remain with us through thy admirable image,

thou who art our Mother, our health and our life.

Say three Hail Mary.

Say the Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen

O Mary, Mother of God,

hear our petitions and in thy mercy answer us.

Amen.


Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, my mother,

into your hands joined in prayer,

take my prayers,

petitions and hopes,

and present them to Jesus for me.

Remembering the love and care

your hands rendered to Him,

He will not refuse what they hold now,

even though they are from me.

Amen.


Our Lady of Guadalupe Song

(Song composed by Grace Ilio-Ferrer)

(Opening Song)

Intro: Angel Song …  Am-F-G-Am

I

                       Am                      F           Am

                 When heaven came down to earth

     F               G          Am

Melody from heaven filled the earth  

      F            G             Am                  

The Holy Angels were singing

    F             G               Am

She was all lights and sunbeams

Chorus:

                   F               G                Am

  Our Lady of Guadalupe comforts me     

   F               G               Am

 Our Lady of Guadalupe heals me     

  F               G                Am

             Our Lady of Guadalupe strengthens me       

 F               G                   Am

            Our Lady of Guadalupe converts me       

Am-F-G-Am

Bridge:  

   C               D        A

My heart, my soul, magnifies the Lord (2x)      

Am-F-G-Am

II

                   Am                F         Am

              The message of Guadalupe

              F             G        Am

             Little one be my messenger  

             F         G     Am                  

            Do not be afraid,

     F              G        Am

            The roses shall be my voice

(Repeat Chorus)


It's You Jesus, My God My Savior

(Song composed by Grace Ilio-Ferrer)

(Closing Song)

Intro: A-D-E-A (2x)

I

 A                    D

It's You, that I adore (Oh Jesus!)

      E                              A

It's You, who filled my soul (Oh my Lord!)

      A                                D

It's You, who brings me life

    E                                 A

Forever stay here in my heart

Chorus:

    A                  D

  You are the One

           D                     A

  My Friend, my Companion

         A                     E

  My Rock and my Refuge

        E              A

  My Savior my Lord

(Repeat Chorus 2x)

II

 A                              D

It's You, that I'm in love (Yes Jesus!)

     E                   A

A never ending love (Yes my Lord!)

A                                                                  D

I seek (sought) you Lord... and I've found You

    E                                 A

Forever stay here in my heart

Refrain:

                       A       D

Open my eyes oh Lord

          A

Oh purify my soul

                 E

Make me holy in Your eyes

    E                      A

Take me to Your Paradise!

A-D-E-A