Sat., Dec. 12: Zech 2:14-17; Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47 or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary

How does this happen that the mother of my Lord should come to me? This is Elizabeth’s question when Mary visits her. Perhaps Juan Diego asked the same question. Perhaps Juan’s bishop, who had served the church all his life, asked, "Why him? Why not me?" Mary appeared to Juan Diego not as a European Madonna, but as a beautiful Aztec Princess. And it is she, this Patroness of the Americas, who led millions to Jesus. Perhaps we Catholics in the United States should consider the faith of our neighbors to the south and pray for the grace to receive our Latin American brothers and sisters as friends and models of faith.

*Juan Diego, pray for us.