In May, I was invited to present the “Come & See” exhibit during the Diocese-wide meeting of the Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as the Guadalupanas, which will be held at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ingleside, on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
I was not familiar with the society but I definitely felt Mother Mary’s call to come and see her in Mexico City. Providentially, I was able to join a pilgrimage group from New Jersey at the last minute by myself, bound for Mexico to visit important shrines from August 4-9, 2025, especially Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica & Shrine. How wonderful to finally be in the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe at her basilica and learn about the miraculous story of her appearance to St Juan Diego and the miracle of his tilma – the art from Heaven. Daily, I wore different t-shirts but with the same image of my painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Hail Mary in Latin, Spanish, Tagalog, Bisaya and English. It was my way of honoring Mother Mary and silently evangelizing, too, especially in the airport and flights.
I also climbed Tepeyac hill and looked with wonder with the incredible views in front of me and the deep love that the pilgrims had in showing their faith and devotion to our Lady. Walking on their knees, praying for her intercession, dancing/singing and praising Mother Mary with jubilation. It was very moving.
Now I feel a deep connection with the Guadalupanas as the pilgrimage was a miraculous experience for me and I learned to face suffering with joy because I caught Covid, had problems with the high elevation and my allergies completely knocked me down. Thankfully I was on my way home when the symptoms were at its height. It was a difficult lesson but I had to learn to fully surrender to it. Mother Mary wanted me to rest from my sleep depravation and incredibly exhausting painting schedules.
I was a stubborn patient but I made it and now ready to present the Come & See exhibit with a better understanding of the devotion that the Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe embraces. I will return when the opportunity presents itself again. This time I just want to immerse myself in daily mass, adoration and meditation in the basilica. I will back on my crazy schedule soon enough with a forced rest of 3 weeks but I am still walking around with the pilgrimage in my head.
Tomorrow, at 10:45am, I will share my story with these beautiful people and the messages entrusted with me from Mother Mary through the Come and See painting. Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray for us.
