the star of evangelization
“Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day.” —Zechariah 2:15
Pope St. Paul VI called Mary the “star of evangelization.” Immediately after conceiving, Mary took Jesus, the baby in her womb, to Elizabeth (Lk 1:39-41). Elizabeth “was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk 1:41) and John rejoiced in the Lord.
Throughout history, Mary has done whatever her Son has told her (see Jn 2:5) and made disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). Probably her most fruitful evangelization took place from 1531 to 1538 at the hill of Tepeyac, near what is now called Mexico City. During those seven years, Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, led eight million people to give their lives to Christ. Over three thousand people each day for seven years were baptized into Christ. In effect, Mary, who prayed in the upper room before the first Christian Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:1ff), was used by the Lord to bring about new Pentecosts each day for seven years.
Mary, the star of evangelization, will make us stars of evangelization. If we also are “docile to the action of the Holy Spirit” (Toward the Third Millennium, Pope St. John Paul II, 18), we will see a new springtime of Christian life. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Prayer: Father, make these next two years the most fruitful years of my life.
Promise: “Blest is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.” —Lk 1:45
Praise: The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City contains the miraculous tilma (cloak) worn by St. Juan Diego. Our Lady’s image appears the same today as it did in 1531!
Reference: (For a related teaching on Pope St. John Paul II on Evangelization, order, listen to, or download our CD 56-1 or DVD 56 on our website.)
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