Meaning behind Lady of Guadalupe

On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, what a pleasant surprise to see a front page article and beautiful color picture of the celebration in Des Plaines! The story, pictures, and quotes from participants captured the joy and gratitude of the pilgrims.

I'd like to make an addition and a correction. The phenomenon of roses blooming in December was only part of the miracle of Guadalupe. The greater miracle is the image of Mary that appeared on Juan Diego's cloak when he opened it to show his bishop the roses he had gathered.

The image is miraculous in many ways, the least of which is that the cloak (tilma) made out of cactus fibers should have deteriorated after about 50 years, but after over 450 years it is still intact and on display at the Basilica in Mexico City.

By way of a correction, the headline, "Marchers have reasons for worshiping icon," represents a common misconception regarding icons, statues, and saints.

Catholics absolutely do not worship Mary or any other saint, nor do we worship icons or statues. We venerate the saints, that is, we pay them honor. We ask for their intercession before the throne of God because we believe they are alive and with the Lord.

The images of the saints only serve to help us remember them and all the good they have done and are still doing with their prayers for us. They are our heroes.

Barbara A. Smith

Naperville