December the right month to ask for Our Lady’s guidance

I have always loved a particular prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe since receiving it five years ago. As members of the Fargo Catholic Medical Association (CMA), my husband and I received the prayer and venerated the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe while attending the National CMA Conference in Philadelphia. It is based on Our Lady’s endearing maternal words to Juan Diego whom she appeared to in 1531. 

When COVID-19 hit, it had a whole new relevancy. Our Lady said, “do not fear any illness.” However, with the political upheaval in our country, this prayer has even more significance, especially when you know the story behind it. Could this be the time referred to by Our Lady to a holy nun back in 2008 who requested this image and prayer to be spread throughout the USA and beyond to promote the Culture of Life, when she said, “soon all will need to turn to me?” The following is taken from the prayer card telling the miraculous story of how it all came about.

“Many miracles will come from this”

In 1993, Sister M. Paula Beierschmitt, I.H.M., answered Pope John Paul II’s “Call to Artists” by forming the “American Academy of the Sacred Arts” to promote sacred art and to assist artists.

On Aug. 3, 2008, Sister Paula, while visiting Mount St. Mary’s University, photographed an outdoor wall mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When the photograph was developed, it showed an unexplainable “luminescence” image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in front of the mosaic. This “luminescence” image was not visible when the photograph was taken. Through prayer, it was subsequently revealed to Sister Paula that a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the Patroness of the Americas), was to be created. This statue (and prayer) was then to be replicated many times, placing them throughout the USA and beyond. Sister Paula said, “The Blessed Mother wants these because they will create a new resurgence in the Pro-Life movement (respect for human life) and because the people don’t know her (Blessed Mother) and soon, they will need to come to her.”

Sister Paula believed the Blessed Mother always leads others to her son, Jesus Christ. Sister Paula gave the artist, Steven F. Kilpatrick specific instructions on how she believed the Blessed Mother wanted this statue created. Sister Paula said, “Many miracles will come from this.” Sister Paula passed away on Sept. 28, 2013.

The statue is presently in the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. On Sept. 26, 2015, before the start of Mass, Pope Francis walked over to this special statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, prayed and placed roses in front of it. Following the instructions given to Sister Paula by the Blessed Mother, the statue will eventually be installed in its permanent location on South Broad Street, Philadelphia. To learn more go to ologamerica.com.