Feminine Spirit Guadalupe

10 Dec

Tomorrow is the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe. She is such an important Mexican icon, that she gets a bank holiday. For me, she is the feminine expression of God. I was raised Catholic and walked away from that dogma in high school. Somehow I have found a way back.

2018 with Lisa and Frida
This work of art has a predominant place in our house and in our hearts.

As I have aged, I have found my way to a less intellectual God and more to a heartfelt appreciation for creation. Guadalupe is my sister, friend and mother. Her presence adorns my house in every room.

A gift from my sister-in-law who died of Covid. We had this niche created for her when we built our house.

I am reminded of her holiday by the presence of pilgrims along the highway. They mostly ride bicycles adorned with her image and the red, white and green of the Mexican flag. They ride in clusters with matching shirts, often in sandals. Sometimes there is a support vehicle, sometimes not. I’m not sure of their destination, perhaps Tulum which is two hours by automobile.

Tulum

I wonder what the pilgrims’ stories are. Is their motivation a petition or gratitude for a prayer answered? The site of her original apparition is outside of Mexico City. We visited in 2017. Twenty million visit annually with nine million around December 12, her feast day.

Both the new basilica on the right and the older on the left. Mexico City in the background. Lisa and I are standing on the site of the original apparition.
Grotto in front of our house.

DOS TORTAS

This week my dear Aunt Irene died. She was 100 and devout Catholic. Guadalupe surely welcomed her with open arms.

Both my aunt and uncle lived to 100.

8 Responses to “Feminine Spirit Guadalupe”

  1. Andrea December 11, 2022 at 9:40 am #

    What a beautiful post . Thanks for sharing . I have a new female “ God “ image to explore now .

    Liked by 1 person

  2. LJones December 11, 2022 at 10:33 am #

    This is so sweet, Alex – are you all settling in? I hope so…I am so happy you had your reunion😊 Is Alice ok? She told me she has been ill. I can only imagine how difficult all of this is for you. Please know I am sending love – Lorrie

    Lorrie Jones
    Simple Serenity
    simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/
    253.312.3117

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 December 11, 2022 at 12:50 pm #

      She is on Messenger and would love to hear from you.

      Like

  3. Gail Beyrle December 11, 2022 at 12:17 pm #

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. You have inspired me to learn more about her. Beautiful images in your home.

    Liked by 1 person

    • afish25 December 11, 2022 at 12:49 pm #

      Much is written. Visiting the basilica is a life altering experience. I was there in 1974 also. A lot has changed.

      Like

  4. Emilie December 11, 2022 at 6:01 pm #

    I was not raised Catholic and I’m totally not religious. But I love the Virgin of Guadalupe. I’m shaking up my life a bit here, hopefully heading down the road in March to roam around for several months. I’m looking for a small Virgin to sit on my dashboard and take the trip with me.

    Like

  5. Jack Scott December 12, 2022 at 4:28 am #

    Liam was also raised a Catholic and he too walked away from it in his teens. I was raised more or less a heathen – more a cultural Christian than an actual one! 🙂

    Like

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