Mexico and Our Lady of Guadalupe

Overview
Introduction Judy Prehistory Joanne Story Judy & readers Symbolism & theology Joanne Conclusions Judy & Joanne Mexico Retreat power point Questions, Actions - all OLG prayer - all

Our Lady of Guadalupe pre-history

Part I: prehispanic Culture Olemca mother of all cultures Aztec last of the 7 Nahuatl cultures sign: eagle on cactus valiant warriors, people of deep faith pyramids of Mexico sign of their technological skill the conquistadors came took their gods away, stripped the people of dignity, destroyed their indigenous culture, race, religion

Pre-history of OLG continued

1325 1502 before the conquistadors Culture grew highly organized, built temples/pyramids 1519 height of the splendor of Tenochtitlan conquistadors arrived How could this prosperous culture be conquered? 1520 arrived at capital city Aug. 13, 1521 city fell to Spanish

Pre-history of OLG continued

With Spanish domination[conquistadors] Aztecs were treated as pagans & animals Spanish said they had no soul Brought African slaves Africans & indigenous/ began to mix Spanish raped indigenous women mestizo race began OLG arrived within this context of death, betrayal, loss of dignity, loss of spiritual roots 1531 OLG appears to Juan Diego [story]

OLG

the story and its meaning for our lives and times

OLG symbols

Head tilted listening Skin color - She, herself, is indigenous Hands in prayer Black ribbon pregnant Flower w/ 4 petals

Nahuatl symbol of 4 elements of life Center where they come together

Sun rays of dark & light Moon below Color of tilma [cloak] color of heavens w/ stars Human being holding her up because now she is going to give them back their dignity Wings eagle [eagle on cactus]

OLG symbols

cont.

All that was destroyed by the conquerors is restored by the virgin

Their culture Their faith traditions Their dignity and worth as human beings

Reflection on the story & attitude of commitment

Summary two parts

Theological
message of Guadalupano

Criteria
ways we can act according to the message

Theology

God always wants to be present Exodus God listens, sees oppression & exploitation and intervenes In Mexican culture God intervenes through OLG a savior who has preference for the marginalized Geographical

Center of power [place of domination] periphery [place of liberation] OLG came to the margins

Theology cont.

Juan Diego

represents exploited population

The miracle is not so much the roses

but that Juan Diego came to believe in himself And that the bishop was transformed by listening to an indigenous person

Criteria

Were invited to look at our lives in light of this story Salvation is happening now

Why are our brothers and sisters in Chiapas, Iraq, and elsewhere suffering for lack of basic medicine? Show & Give

OLG is clear she wants to

Listen & heal

Love Compassion Help aid defense

laments Pain & suffering Misery pain

Conclusion

The virgin of Tepayac did not arrive at the center of power She came to the periphery [outsider] Juan Diego was called to go to the center to the bishop Bishop was transformed when he listened to the message Juan Diego transformed the bishop Mary teaches us

how we are to be messengers How to be a human person That we CAN do it!!!