December 12 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.
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.
I am reminded of her holiday by the presence of the Guadalupanas (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.
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.
DOS TORTAS
This week is the anniversary of my dear Aunt Irene’s death. She was 100 and devout Catholic. Guadalupe surely welcomed her with open arms.
the adventures of dos tortas 
I was not raised Catholic and I am no religion at all. But I love the Virgin of Guadalupe. I even have a traditional shrine—the planted bathtub with the Virgin inside. I will bring her red roses on the 12th.
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I need to trim back the outside grotto. She brings a feminine power to our home.
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Liam was raised in an Irish Catholic family but, like you, abandoned it in his late teens. I can’t see him returning to the fold any time soon but he does have a sneaky appreciation of the Madonna. As for me, well…
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We all know that you are a heathen Jack.
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Alex, I found your post about the Virgin of Guadalupe interesting and timely. At the moment I am reading slowly a book by Mirabai Starr: Wild Mercy, Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics. Published 2019. Not rushing through it because I wish to take time to absorb the message. So far, I have not seen any reference to the Virgin of Guadalupe in the book. The cover art, however, is of a painting of Lila Downs (Oaxacan/US musician and activist) by Erin Currier (New Mexico artist). In an interview Mirabai Starr indicated she chose that art work for the cover because she wants to highlight contemporary, younger women who are carrying forward the wisdom of women’s experience. Marcia
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There is a worldwide cult to Guadalupe. Of which I am a card carrying member. 😆🙏🏼
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I have known of the Virgen de Guadelupe since my college years because of travel in Mexico and interest in the culture, but not having Catholic roots I simply respected her. Thought you might like to be aware of the book if you are not already. The image of Guadalupe in your home is lovely.
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Beautiful pics! Love you both!!
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Thanks Jan. Our house is full of Guadalupes.
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