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MILLIONS OF INDIANS BECOME CATHOLICS
(Rev. Fr. Antoine Marie)
Aztec priests had prophesied that their nomadic people would settle in
the place where an eagle would he seen perched on a cactus, devouring a
serpent. This eagle appears on the Mexican flag today. Having arrived
on a swampy island, in the middle of Lake Texcoco, the Aztecs saw the
foretold sign: an eagle, perched, on a cactus, was devouring a serpent.
This was in 1369. There, they founded their town Tenochtitlan, which
would become Mexico City. The town expanded to become a city on
pilings, with many gardens abounding in flowers, fruit, and vegetables.
The organisation of the Aztec kingdom was very structured and
hierarchical. The knowledge of their mathematicians, astronomers,
philosophers, architects, doctors, artists, and artisans was excellent
for that time. But the laws of the physical world remained scarcely. Tenochtitlan drew its power and wealth
primarily from war. The conquered cities had to pay a tribute of various foodstuffs, and
men for war and sacrifices. The Aztecs human sacrifices and
cannibalism are almost unequaled throughout the course of history.
In the 16th century, Our Blessed Lady, moved with pity for the Aztec
people who, living in the darkness of idolatry, offered to their idols
multitudes of human victims, deigned to take into Her own hands the
evangelization of these Indians of Central America who were also Her
children. One of the Aztec gods, originally considered the god of
fertility, had transformed himself over time into a ferocious god. A
symbol of the sun, this god was in continuous battle with the moon and
the stars, and was believed to need human blood to restore his strength;
if he died, life would be extinguished. Ever new victims, to he offered
to him in perpetual sacrifice, therefore seemed essential.
In 1474, a child was born who was, given the name Cuauhtlatoazin (=
speaking eagle). After his father's death, the child was taken in by his
uncle. From the age of three, he was taught, as were all young Aztecs,
to join in domestic tasks and to behave in a dignified manner. At
school, he learned singing, dancing, and especially the worship of many
gods. The priests had a very strong influence over the population,
whom they kept in submission bordering on terror. Cuauhtloazin was 13
years old when the great temple at Tenochtitlan was consecrated. Over
the course of four days, the priests sacrificed 80,000 human victims
to their god. After his military service, Cuauhtlatoazin married a
young woman of his social status. Together, they led a modest life as
farmers.
In 1519, the Spaniard Cortez disembarked in Mexico, leading 500
soldiers. He conquered the country for Spain, yet was not lacing in zeal
for the evangelisation of the Aztecs. In 1524, he obtained the arrival
of twelve. Franciscans to Mexico. These missionaries quickly integrated
into the population. Their goodness contrasted with the harshness of
the Aztec priests, as well as that of some conquistadors. They began
to build churches. However, the Indians were reluctant to accept
Baptism, primarily because it would require them to abandon polygamy'.
Cuauhtlatoazin and his wife were among the first to receive Baptism
under the respective names of Juan Diego and Maria Lucia. After his
wife's death in 1529, San Diego withdrew to Tolpetlac, 14 km from
Mexico City, to the home of his uncle, Juan Bernardino, who had become
a Catholic as well. On December 9, 1531, as was his custom every Saturday, Juan Diego left very early, in the morning to walk and
attend the Mass celebrated in honour of Our Blessed Virgin at the
Franciscan Fathers' church, close to Mexico City. He walked past Tepeyac Hill. Suddenly, he heard a gentle and resounding song that
seemed to come from a great multitude of birds. Raising his eyes to
the top of the hill, he saw a white and radiant cloud. He looked around
him and wondered if he were dreaming. All of a sudden, the song stopped
and a woman's voice, gentle and graceful, called him: "Juanito, Juan
Dieguito!" He quickly climbed the hill and found himself in the presence
of a very beautiful young woman, whose garments shone like the
sun.
Speaking to him in Nahuatl, his naive language. She said to him:
"Juanito,
My son, where are you going?"
"Noble Lady, my Queen, I am going to the Mass in Mexico City to hear
the divine things that the priest teaches us there. "
"I want you to know for certain, My dear son, that I am the perfect
and always Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God, from Whom all life
comes, the Lord of all things. Creator of Heaven and Earth. I greatly
desire that a church be built in My honour, in which I will show My
love, compassion and protection. I am your Mother, full of mercy and love for you and all those who love Me, trust in Me, and have recourse in
Me. I will hear their complaints and will comfort their affliction and
their sufferings. So that I might show all My love, go now to the
bishop in Mexico City and tell him that I am sending you to make known
to him the great desire I have to see a church dedicated to Me built
here."
Juan Diego went straight to the bishop. Bishop Zumarraga, a Franciscan, the first bishop of Mexico, was a pious man and fall of zeal who
had a heart overflowing with kindness towards the Indians. He heard the
poor man attentively, but fearing an illusion, did not put much faith in
his story. Towards evening, Juan Diego carted on his way home. At the
top of Tepeyac Hill, he had the pleasant surprise of meeting the
Apparition again. He told Our Blessed Lady about his mission, then
added: "I beg You to entrust Your message to someone more known and
respected so that he will believe it. I am only a simple Indian whom You
have sent as a messenger to an important person. Therefore, he did
not believe me, and I do not want to greatly disappoint you."
"My dearest son," replied Our Lady, "you must understand that
there are many more noble men to whom I could have entrusted My message
and yet, it is because of you that my plan will succeed. Return to the
bishop tomorrow. Tell him it is Myself, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother
of God, Who is sending you."
On Sunday morning, after the Mass, Juan Diego went to the bishop's
house. The prelate asked him many Questions, then asked for a tangible
sign of the truth of the apparition. When Juan Diego went home, the
bishop had him discreetly followed by two servants. At Tepeyac Bridge,
Juan Diego disappeared from their sight, and despite all their searches
on the hill and in the surrounding area, they could not find him again.
Furious, they declared to the bishop that Juan Diego was an impostor who
must absolutely not be believed. During this time, Juan Diego told
the beautiful young Lady, Who was waiting for him on the hill, about
his most recent meeting with the bishop.
"Come back tomorrow morning to seek the sign he is asking for," said Our Lady.
Returning home, the Indian found his uncle ill, and the next day, Juan
had to stay at his bedside lo take care of him. An his illness became
worse, the uncle asked his nephew to go look for a priest. At dawn on
Tuesday, 12th December Juan Diego started on the road to the city. Approaching Tepeyac Hill, he thought it best to make a
detour so as
not to meet the Lady. But suddenly, he perceived Her coming to meet
him. Embarrassed, he explained his situation and promised to come hack
when he had found a priest to administer last rites to his uncle.
"My
dear little one," replied Our Blessed Lady, "do not be depressed about
your uncle's illness, because he will not die from it. I assure you that
he will get well. Go to the top of the hill, pick the flowers that you
will see there, and bring them to Me."
When he had arrived at the top of the hill, the Indian was stunned to
find a great number of flowers in bloom, Castillian roses that gave off
a very sweet fragrance. Indeed, in the winter, the cold allows nothing to
survive, and besides, the place was too dry for flowers to grow there,
not to speak of roses from Castillia of Spain, in the middle
of winter. Juan Diego gathered the roses, enfolded them in his cloak, or
tilma, then went back down the hill.
"My dear son," said the Lady, these flowers are the sign that you are
to give to the bishop. This will get him to build the church that I have
asked of him."
Juan Diego ran to the bishop. When he arrived, the servants made him
wait for hours. Amazed at his patience, and intrigued by what he
was carrying in his tilma, they finally informed the bishop, who,
although with several people, had him shown in immediately. Juan related
his adventure, unfolded his tilma, and let the flowers, which were still
shining with dew, scatter to the floor. With tears in his eyes, Bishop Zumarraga fell to his knees, admiring the roses from his country. All of
a sudden, he perceived, on the tilma, the portrait of Our Lady. Mary's
image was there, as though printed on the cloak, very beautiful and
full of gentleness. The bishop's doubts gave way to sure faith and a
hope filled with wonder. He took the tilma and the roses and placed them
solemnly in his private oratory.
The next day he went with Juan Diego to
the hill where the apparitions had taken place. After having examined
the sites, he let the seer return to his uncle's house. Juan Bernardino
had been completely cured. His cure had taken place at the very hour
when Our Lady appeared to his nephew. He told Juan Diego; "I have also seen Her. She even came here
and talked to me. She
wants a church to be built on Tepeyac Hill and wants Her portrait to be
called 'Saint Mary of Guadalupe. But She did not explain to me why."
The name Guadalupe is well known by the Spanish, because in their
country there is a very old sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of
Guadalupe.
The news of the miracle spread quickly. In a short time, Juan
Diego became well-known. "I will spread your fame," Mary had told him,
but the Indian remained as humble as ever. To make it easier to meditate
on the image. Bishop Zumarraga had the tilma transported to his cathedral.
Then work was begun on the construction of a small church, and
a hermitage for Juan Diego on the hill of apparitions. The next 25th
December, the bishop consecrated his cathedral to the Most Blessed
Virgin, to thank Her for the remarkable favours with which She had
blessed his diocese. Then, in a magnificent procession, the miraculous
image was carried to the sanctuary that had just been completed on
Tepeyac Hill. To express their joy, the Indians shot arrows.
One of them, shot carelessly, went through the throat of a
participant in the procession who fell to the ground fatally wounded. A
great silence fell and intense supplication rose to the Mother of God.
Suddenly, the wounded man, who had been placed at the foot of the
miraculous image, collected himself and got up, full of vigour. The
crowd's enthusiasm was at its peak.
Juan Diego moved into his little hermitage, seeing to the maintenance
and cleaning of the site. His life remained simple. He carefully farmed a field close to the sanctuary that had been placed at his disposal.
He received pilgrims in ever larger numbers, and enjoyed, talking about
the Blessed Virgin Mary and untiringly relating the details of the
apparitions. He was entrusted with all kinds of prayer intentions. He
listened, sympathised, and comforted. A good amount, of his free time
was spent in contemplation before the image of his Lady. He made rapid
progress in the ways of holiness. Day after day he fulfilled his duty as
a witness up until his death on 9th December, 1548, seventeen years
after the first apparition.
When the Indians had learned the news of Our Lady's apparitions, an
enthusiasm and joy such as had never been seen before, spread among
them. Renouncing their idols, superstitions, human sacrifices, and
polygamy, many asked to he baptized. Nine years after the
apparitions, nine million Indians had converted to the Catholic faith -
nearly 3,000 a day! The Image of Mary moved the Indians deeply; this
woman is greater than the sun-god since She appears standing before the
sun. She surpasses the moon-god since She keeps the moon under Her feet.
She is no longer of this world since She is surrounded by clouds and is
held above the world by an angel. Her folded hands show Her in prayer,
which means that there is Someone greater than She.
Even in our time, the mystery of this miraculous image remains. The
tilma, a large apron woven by hand from cactus fibres, bears the holy
Image, which is 1.43m tall. The Virgin's face is perfectly oval and is a
grey colour verging on pink. Her eyes have a profound expression of
purity and gentleness. The mouth seems to smile. The very beautiful
face, similar to that of a mestizo Indian, is framed by a back head of
hair that, up close, is comprised of silky locks. She is clad in a full
tunic, of a pinkish red hue that no one has ever been able to reproduce,
and that goes to Her feet. Her bluish-green mantle is edged with gold
braid and studded with stars. A sun of various shades forms a magnificent background,
with golden rays shining out.
The fact that the tilma has remained perfectly preserved from 1531 to
this day is inexplicable. After more than four centuries, this fabric of
mediocre quality retains the same freshness and the same lively colour
as when it was new. By comparison, a copy of the Image of Our Lady of
Guadalupe painted in the 18th century with great care, and preserved
under the same climatic conditions as Juan Diego's, had completely
deteriorated in a few years.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a painful period of revolutions
in Mexico, a load of dynamite was put by unbelievers at the foot of the
Image in a vase of flowers. The explosion destroyed the marble steps on
the main altar, the candelabras, all the flower-holders. The marble
altarpiece was broken into pieces, the brass Christ on the tabernacle
was split in two. The windows in most of the houses near the basilica
were broken, but the pane of glass that was protecting the Image was not
even cracked. The Image remained intact.
In 1936, an examination conducted on two fibres from the tilma, one
red and the other yellow, led to an astounding finding: the fibres contained no known colouring agent. Ophthalmology and optics confirm the
inexplicable nature of the Image - it seems to he a slide projected
onto the fabric. Closer analysis shows that there is no trace of drawing
or sketching under the colour, even though perfectly recognisable
retouches were done on the original, retouches which moreover
deteriorated with time. In addition, the background never received any
primer, which seems inexplicable if it is truly a painting, for even on
the finest fabric, a coat is always applied, if only to prevent the
fabric from absorbing the painting, and the threads from breaking the
surface. No brush strokes can he detected. After an infrared analysis
conducted on 7th May, 1979, a professor from NASA wrote: "There is no
way to explain the quality of the pigments used for the pink dress, the
blue veil, the face and the hands, or the permanence of the colours,
or the vividness of the colours after several centuries, during which
they ordinarily should have deteriorated... Studying this Image has been
the most moving experience of my life." Astronomers have observed that
all the constellations present in the heavens at the moment Juan Diego
opened his tilma before Bishop Zumarragao on 12th December, 1531, are in
their proper place on Mary's mantle. It has also been found that by
imposing a topographical map of central Mexico on the Virgin's dress,
the mountains, rivers, and principal lakes coincide with the decoration
of this dress.
Ophthalmological tests have found that Mary's eye is a human eye that
appears to be living, and includes the retina in which is reflected the
image of a man with outstretched hands: Juan Diego. The image in the
eye conforms to the known laws of optics, particularly to that which
states that a well-lighted object can be reflected three times in an eye
(Purkinje-Samson's law). A later study allowed researchers to discover
in the eye, in addition to the seer, Bishop Zumarraga and several other
people present when the Image of Our Lady appeared on the tilma. And the
normal microscopic network of veins in the eyelids and the cornea of
the Virgin's eyes is completely recognisable. No human painter would
have been able to reproduce such details.
Gynecological measurements have determined that the Virgin in the
Image has the physical dimensions of a woman who is three months pregnant. Under the belt that holds the dress in place, at the very location
of the embryo, a flower with four petals stands out: the Solar Flower,
the most familiar of Aztec hieroglyphs, and which symbolised for them
divinity, the centre of the earth, heaven, time and space. On the
Virgin's neck hangs a brooch, the centre of which is decorated with a
little cross, recalling the death of Christ on the Cross for the
salvation of all mankind. Many other details of the Image of Mary form an
extraordinary document for our age, which is able to observe them
thanks to modern technology. Thus science, which has often been a
pretext for unbelief, helps us today to give prominence to signs that
remained unknown for centuries and that science is unable to explain.
The Image of Our Lady o Guadalupe bears a message of evangelization: the Basilica of Mexico is a centre "from which flows a river of
the light of the Gospel of Christ spreading throughout the earth through
the merciful Image of Mary " (John Paul II, December 12, 1981). In addition, through Her intervention on behalf of the Aztec people,
the Virgin Mary played a role in saving innumerable human lives, and Her
pregnancy can he interpreted as a special appeal on behalf of unborn
children and the defence of human life. This appeal has a burning
relevance in our time, when threats against the lives of individuals and
people, especially lives that are weak and defenceless, are widespread
and becoming more serious.
The Second Vatican Council, forcefully deplored crimes against
human life: "All offences against Life itself, such as murder, genocide,
abortion, euthanasia, all these and the like are criminal; they
poison civilisation, and they debase the perpetrators more than the
victims, and militate against the honour of the Creator. " (Gaudium et
spes, 27). Faced with these plagues, which are expanding as a result of
scientific progress and technology, and which benefit from wide social
consensus as well as legal recognition, let us call upon Mary with
confidence. She is an "incomparable model of how life should he welcomed
and cared for... Showing us Her Son, She assures us that in Him the
forces of death have already been defeated" (John Paul II, Evangelium
vitae, March 25, 1995). "Death and life are locked in an incredible
battle; the Author of life having died, lives, and reigns" (Easter
Sequence).
Saint Juan Diego was canonised by Pope John Paul II on 31st July,
2002, to inspire us with true devotion to Mary, Our Mother and Queen of
Heaven and Earth, for "Mary's compassion extends to all those who appeal
to Her, even when this appeal is nothing more than a simple "Hail.
Mary" (Saint Alphonsus de Liguori). Especially if we have fallen into
serious sin. She who is the Mother of Mercy, will obtain for us the mercy
of God.
EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW
(Rev. Fr. I. Davidson)
Frequently I hear His name
Throughout my working day,
It is often
bandied here and there
In a callous, casual way.
I know I am imperfect,
That I have my failings, too,
But "Jesus" spoken as a curse
Is a sword
that cuts me through.
I am sure folk mean no harm
In their cold
disparagement
With piercing, unabated words
Which make my heart lament.
To some it's second nature,
Just a plain expletive word,
But to name and
not to love Him
Seems ironic and absurd.
I have wondered much of late
Why if should hurt me so
And in the
stillness of my heart
His love has let me know.
Not just the absence of
respect
For the name of great renown
But more because the word reminds me
That I, too, have let Him down.
The sword that cuts so deeply
When I hear that Holy Name
I realise
belongs to me
As I am seeing my own shame.
So now when it is spoken
Ever
more repeatedly,
I quietly seek forgiveness
Not for my brother, hut for
me...
A PRAYER
by Cardinal Newman
May the Lord support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and
the evening comes.
And the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life
is over, and our work is done.
Then in His mercy may He give us safe lodging, and a holy rest, and
peace at last.
Amen. |
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