Feast day: December 12
The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrates Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 near what is now Mexico City, Mexico. An imprint of Mary was forever forged on Juan’s cloak. The image, depicting Mary as a mestiza—a woman with the look of mixed native and European ancestry—inspired a deep devotion to God and to Our Lady throughout Latin America. In 1910 Mary was named the patron saint of Latin America, and in 1954, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe the Patroness of the Americas. (From Exploring Saints and Feast Days with Young Adolescents [Saint Mary’s Press])
(Image © Vicki Shuck/Saint Mary's Press)