Today is the feast of the Patroness for millions of Mexican and Mexican-Americans, Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to the humble St. Juan Diego in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City.

She is one of the most iconic religious symbols in the world and the most famous in Mexico.  She is known also as the “Queen of Mexico” or the “Empress of the Americas”.

In Mexico over tens of thousands of the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Mexico City for the celebration of the 481st anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of Tepeyac (“La Morenita”).  Some of the faithful arrive on their knees as a sign of their devotion and adoration of the Virgen.

The following prayer was composed for the Special Assembly for America of the Synod Of Bishops fifteen years ago today: