12 December, Our Lady of Guadalupe

In this 17th century Mexican painting, the Virgin of Guadalupe intercedes for the soul depicted under the form of little child. Saved by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and helped by her guardian angel, the soul escapes the clutches of Satan, and flies directly to the wound in the side of Jesus. There she is embraced by Jesus who detaches one arm from the cross to draw her to Himself. To Satan’s rage, the soul is purified in the Blood and Water that flow from the Heart of the Crucified.

Entrance Antiphon
A great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun,
and the moon under feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Apocalypse 12:1).

Collect
God of power and mercy,
who blessed the Americas at Tepeyac
with the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe;
grant, we beseech you, through her intercession,
that we may accept one another in Christ
and through the outpouring of your justice into our hearts ,
come to rejoice in the gift of your peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.

General Intercessions
For the Daughter of Zion, the holy Church of God;
that she may proclaim to men and women of every nation
the surpassing joy that comes to her through Christ in the Holy Spirit,
let us pray in silence, for the Lord is near. Pause for silent prayer.

For the leaders of the nations of the Americas;
that they may foster reverence for the gift of life
in the unborn, the unwanted, the sick, and the dying,
let us pray in silence, for the Lord is near. Pause for silent prayer.

For those who are troubled or weighed down with grief;
for those faced with illness, anxiety, or pain;
that they may recognize in the Virgin of Guadalupe
a Mother who will hide them in the folds of her mantle
and hold them in the crossing of her arms,
let us pray in silence, for the Lord is near. Pause for silent prayer.

For the people of Mexico,
and for all Mexicans living and working far from their homeland;
that they may find in the protection of the Virgin of Guadalupe
courage and comfort, peace of heart, and health of mind and body,
let us pray in silence, for the Lord is near. Pause for silent prayer.|

For ourselves;
that, led by the Holy Spirit to gaze upon the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe and to partake of the Most Holy Eucharist,
we may spread everywhere
the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Christ,
let us pray in silence, for the Lord is near. Pause for silent prayer.

Collect at the General Intercessions
Almighty and ever-living God,
who ordain that we should come to you
by means of humble creatures,
and desire that the senses of your faithful
be filled with the mystery of your Christ,
grant, we beseech you,
that by following the gentle whisper of your Spirit,
it may be given us to reverence the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary here below,
and, at length, to gaze upon her loveliness
in the unfading splendour of Jesus Christ, the blessed fruit of her womb,
who is Lord forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the gifts we set before you
on this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
and grant that this sacrifice
may strengthen us to fulfill your commandments
as true children of the Virgin Mary.
Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer After Communion
Lord,
may the Body and Blood of your only-begotten Son
received in this sacrament,
reconcile us ceaselessly in your love,
that we who rejoice in the holy Mother of Guadalupe
may live in unity and peace in this world
until the day of the Lord dawns in glory.
Through Christ our Lord.