Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

December 12, 2011Feast of Our lady of GuadalupeA great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with thesun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crownof twelve stars. She was with child ... wailed aloud in pain asshe labored to give birth. Revelations, 12:1Sing and rejoice, O daughter, Zion! See, I am coming todwell among you says the Lord. Zechariah, 2:14Our Lady of Guadalupe could certainly identify with both readings,which are perfect for Advent because they speak of anticipation. Ican just imagine Mary anticipating the birth of her child and thengiving birth to Jesus on that first Christmas night, away from homeand family who could ease her pain and help her with the newbornchild. She, too, must have wailed aloud in pain as she labored togive birth. However, once Jesus was born, Mary must have beenexhausted, yet delighted, to have a healthy child.According to www.sancta.org, when Pope John Paul II was visitingMexico, he entrusted the cause of life to Mary’s loving protectionand placed the innocent lives of children, especially the unborn,under her motherly care.Our Lady of Guadalupe, please watch over all expectant mothers and thosewho are anticipating a change in life. May they, too, sing and rejoice that theLord is coming to dwell among them!Sister Denise M. Mollica, IHMFashion-Family and Consumer Sciences Department