Prayers and Devotions
Novenas
The novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe is a popular practice among Catholics, particularly in Mexico and the Americas. It is an expression of devotion, gratitude, and supplication to Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe, asking for her maternal guidance, protection, and intercession in various life situations.
The Virgin Mary in the Guadalupe image is portrayed with a mestiza, or mixed-race, appearance, reflecting a blend of indigenous Mexican and Spanish European heritage. This symbolizes Mary’s universal maternal presence, embracing and uniting people of diverse backgrounds, races, and cultures. It signifies her role as a mother figure for all humanity, regardless of their differences. The black ribbon around Mary’s waist is seen as a sign of pregnancy, indicating her role as the mother of Christ.
The novena culminates on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is celebrated on December 12th. On this day, pilgrimages, processions, and Masses are held to honor Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, recognizing her role as a compassionate mother and a symbol of unity among diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a revered Marian apparition, believed to have appeared to Blessed Juan Diego in December 1531. According to the account, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near present-day Mexico City. She spoke to him in his native language and requested that a church be built on that site in her honor. To prove her identity, as requested by the Bishop, she instructed Juan Diego to gather roses from the barren hill. When he presented the roses to the local bishop, an image of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared on his tilma, or cloak, that he had used to carry the roses. The tilma still exists today for all to see in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Scientists have carried out extensive tests on the fabric and image, and there is no scientific explanation. The image is not painted, dyed or woven.
Our Lady of Guadalupe told Juan Diego, “I am your merciful Mother, the Mother of all who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who have confidence in me. Here I will hear their weeping and their sorrows… their necessities and misfortunes. Listen and let it penetrate your heart. Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and my protection?”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe, according to thy message in Mexico I venerate thee 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 thy most holy image which thou didst miraculously imprint upon the cloak of the humble and obedient Indian Juan Diego, and with the faith of the countless numbers of pilgrims who visit thy shrine, I beg thee for this favor:
[Mention your request]
Remember, O Immaculate Virgin, the words thou hast spoken to thy devout and humble, yet hesitant client: “I am a merciful mother to thee and to all thy people who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sorrows and sufferings.” I beg thee to be a merciful mother to me, because I sincerely love thee and trust in thee and invoke thy help. I entreat thee, our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this should be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to thy love, thy compassion, thy help and protection. Do not forsake me in my needs.
Recite three Hail Marys and after each:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.”
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