By Sam M. Lucero
Catholic Herald

Lady of Guadalupe is impetus behind night of prayer

CUMBERLAND -- The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is being retold in this community of 2,000 people.

But the message that Mary Gislason, a member of St. Anthony Abbot Parish, is helping to spread isn't just about the historical tale of the Virgin Mary appearing to an Aztec Indian in December 1531. It's the tale of a new grassroots movement in the United States to promote Our Lady of Guadalupe as protector and intercessor of unborn children.

As the Catholic Church prepares to pay tribute to Mary on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 8, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, Catholics in the Diocese of Superior and around the country are being asked to join in a National Night of Prayer for Life.

Flyers were recently distributed to parishes in the Superior diocese by the Respect Life Office encouraging local communities to participate in the national night of prayer for life. The prayer vigil will take place Dec. 8, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Contact your local parish for more information.)

Gislason is organizing the night of prayer at St. Anthony Abbot Parish. It will begin at 8:30 p.m. In addition to the prayer vigil, Gislason is coordinating a parish-wide effort to educate the parish community about Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The first project included an appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the parish's Advent Fair, which was held Dec. 3. For this event, Gislason donned the garments similar to those worn by the Virgin Mary as she appeared to Juan Diego beginning Dec. 9, 1531.

Gislason said the Advent Fair was an appropriate time to spotlight Our Lady of Guadalupe because it is near her feast day. Moreover, she said, the parish has committed itself to enhancing its outreach ministry to Latino migrants who work at a local canning factory. Sharing what is an important part of the Mexican Catholic culture with the Cumberland community was one way to bring the two cultures closer. The fair also included Mexican traditions such as making luminaries and serving Mexican wedding cake.

In another project to promote Our Lady of Guadalupe, Gislason will visit religious education classes beginning in January and give a presentation on the story of Juan Diego and the Virgin Mary. Students will then have an opportunity to take home a framed picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe and an animated video titled "Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe."

Gislason's hope is that families will watch the video together and use the framed picture as an inspiration for prayer. Each week a new family will have a chance to view the video and meditate on the picture, praying that the Virgin of Guadalupe will intercede in the abortion of preborn babies.

According to Gislason, her interest in the Guadalupe story begin about 1994 when her daughter Amy was attending the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

"There was a mother who had received all these pictures of Our Lady of Guadalupe," said Gislason. "It was her mission to make Our Lady of Guadalupe known in the Americas, because she is the patron saint of the Americas."

Gislason took one of the pictures home with her and had it framed. With the pastor's support, the picture traveled from home to home as a devotional icon. The practice soon stopped and the picture ended up back at the parish

office. But this fall, when Rose Schullo, coordinator of religious education, asked Gislason to give a presentation at the Advent Fair, the picture was dusted off.

Gislason said it is providential that the Advent Fair and the National Night of Prayer for Life have put the spotlight on Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"I am excited how things have fallen into place," she said. "I'm her instrument in trying to make her better known."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2000