At first, the thousands seemed like a spectacle, something to look at. Not anymore! After several masses at the Indian chapel where Juan Diego experienced the four apparitions from Our Lady of Guadalupe, seeing the ruins of the first and second churches built, and walking up the 186 steps to the top of Tepeyac Hill, I see and feel deeply the reverence, the love and boldly expressive cultural and family practices of the thousands of Mexicans gathered at the Guadalupe public square.
I stopped seven times, assisted by Celina, a 77yo teacher, and grants administrator from Juneau, Alaska, now retired at New Mexico who inspired me to take on that hill. Honestly, I made a vow to myself to practice “Faith, not Fear.” Each time I could not breathe, Edgar, a 45yo documentarian of the Marian pilgrimage and called a “miracle baby” by his loving mother, Rosa, would say, “Take my elbow. We can stop, but only a minute.” That gave me so much hope. When I couldn’t breathe, I prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe for strength.
She did. Two nights, I slept with that tilma, so rested and amazingly, no muscular aches and pains.
I remember my vacation and camping trips with my family, the unusual complainer who wanted to rearrange the realities she was faced with. I recall the patience, love, consideration my husband and children showed me.
I was in tears to see Our Lady of Guadalupe surrounded by several waterfalls and venerated by Indians on their knees. That scene plus the Museum where thousands of messages of gratitude were exhibited to thank the healing of thousands by Our Lady. I went to confession and I was bawling with tears and after, I felt so light and joyful.
Saying a million thank yous will never be enough to realize how God truly loves us to give His beloved son, and gifting us the Holy Spirit.
Another mantra I practiced was to not be defensive and not to react, as a personal default response. Instead, observe, ask and immerse.
It paid off as my last acts while travelling was to take Regina, an 88 year old pilgrim with me and got her an uber, while she waited at the hotel lobby and she looked forward to being in her bed. At first my uber wouldn’t work and a very kind Korean driver taught me to update and scroll the app. I greeted him with Annyanghaseo, thank you in Korean. Regina got home in 15 minutes.
Famished, I was drawn to eat chips and salsa. I had my last $5 but instead, I gave it as tip to the shuttle driver, Kiona who was very kind to me and Regina at 1030 pm, after our flight.
Here is where I learned patience, faith and perseverance are the virtues to get to what you need. Love is always the answer.
It was so nice to be greeted by my husband and my very sweet #princess2015la. Their hugs and a clean home and a dinner made by hubby made me feel at home!
Thank you so much to #qtstoursandtravels and #frjoelbugas , pastor of San Ignacio Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the best spiritual director of 2022 Marian and 2019 Marian pilgrimages, attested to by several of his former and current parishioners.
With each pilgrimage, I grow in faith to see and feel more sparkling souls.
#Pilgrimages