When I was young, I loved when my grandparents visited. Since we lived in the countryside and my grandparents in the city, they would often stay for several days. What I liked most about their visit was that at bedtime, my grandmother would sit at my side as I fell asleep. Knowing that she was beside me made a tremendous difference. Not only did I feel accompanied, but in some way I felt more sure of myself. I knew there was someone near, watching over me and protecting me.

I shared this brief memory last week when preaching at two celebrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe where I was present with our bishop. The first celebration was in the parish of Saint Paul in Douglas, the second in Saint Anthony of Padua in Ray City. Joy was palpable at both parishes, and the great love the faithful expressed towards the Mother of God was very noticeable.

When our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego for the first time early in the morning on December 9, 1531, she said, “I wish very much to have a house built here for me where I will give people all my personal love, my compassion, my help, and my protection, because I am truly your merciful Mother, yours and of all the people who live united in this land and of all the other people of different ancestries, who love me, those who seek me, those who trust in me. Here I will hear their weeping, their complaints and heal all their sorrows, hardships and sufferings.”

The Virgin Mary has approached us with a desire to be with us. In the same way that my grandmother’s presence filled me with joy as a child, the Blessed Mother approached Juan Diego and approaches all of God’s children because she wishes to accompany us. Her presence fills us with joy, allowing us to experience her care and protection. Knowing that she accompanies us, we feel more secure of ourselves, our lives, our decisions and our futures.

Some have an erroneous image of God. They think God lives very far away among the clouds, sitting on a heavenly throne. In Mary we see the truth that God is near. God accompanies us at all times. He comes to sit at our side.

Our Lady of Guadalupe promised to show her love, compassion, help and protection to all those who invoke her. This was promised to Juan Diego: a native oppressed by Spanish colonization, a humble man who was not believed by his bishop, and a man with little education. God sent his mother to the marginalized to accompany them, to the oppressed to strengthen them, to those in darkness to make them a light in the world. Our Lady of Guadalupe offered to Mexico, and through Mexico to the world, the hope of her son Jesus Christ.

Our Lady of Guadalupe accompanies us every day in our difficulties and joys. She recognizes us as God’s children, calling us to conversion in order to become more faithful disciples of her son. May the presence of Mary in our lives fill us with peace and joy, and may her maternal love always accompany us and help us to always be faithful children of God.