In his apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in America (1999), Pope John Paul II emphasized the Virgin Mary’s role in the birth of the church and her importance to the peoples of America. Her appearance in 1531 to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill had a decisive effect on evangelization. The influence of this appearance “greatly overflows the boundaries of Mexico, spreading to the whole Continent” (Pope John Paul II). The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th is an occasion for members to pray through the intercession of Mary, “Patroness of the Americas.”
