Embedded Files
Nuestra Señora de San Juan, Marian holy cards collection, ML.031 Box 26, circa 1675-2018. Marian Library, University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.
Country
Mexico
Description
In 1542, Father Miguel de Bologna brought an image of the Immaculate Conception to a settlement principally populated by Nochiztlecan Indians called San Juan Mezquititlan Baptist. By 1623 the village had been renamed San Juan de Los Lagos, and the image was kept in a small chapel attended by an elderly Native couple called Pedro Antes and Ana Lucía. Though Ana Lucía reported that the image possessed miraculous qualities, it wasn’t until a trapeze artist act passed through the village that this news spread far and wide.
One of the aerial acrobats, a little girl, was fatally injured and carried to the chapel of Our Lady to be buried. Once at the chapel, Ana Lucía placed the image of the Virgin on the little girl’s body and began to pray. Suddenly the little girl woke and was placed back in the arms of her mother, now miraculously healed. Feeling indebted to the Blessed Virgin, the little girl’s father asked permission to take the statue to Guadalajara where he might find an artist who could restore and dress the statue. The pastor granted the request and sent along a local escort. No sooner did they arrive in Guadalajara than they were approached by an unknown man who inquired if they were looking for a capable artist to repair a sacred statue. There was no way he could have known of their mission, so when he offered them his services, they believed it was the will of God that his offer should be accepted. A price was soon agreed upon, and the stranger left with the statue. A short time afterward, he returned with the job completed. The statue was cleaned, and the face and hands skillfully restored. After that the stranger left, leaving his identity a mystery.
As news spread of the miracle, the image took on the name of Our Lady of Saint John of the Lakes, and ignited devotion far and wide. The cult grew so much that construction of a large church began in 1732 to accommodate the pilgrims. The image was installed in this church, on a special platform displaying an upturned crescent moon, reminiscent of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her feast days are February 2, June 24, August 15 or December 8, depending where in the world it is being celebrated.
Reference:
“Our Lady of Saint John.” Roman Catholic Saints. Accessed April 12, 2024.
“Our Lady of San Juan de Los Lagos.” Wikipedia. February 28, 2024.
Researched by Courtney M. Ware
Popular Devotions
Saint Juan Diego,
Please pray that God the Father would protect all migrants through his Son, Jesus Christ. Ask the Father to pour out the love of the Holy Spirit upon all who are isolated, alone and separated by choice or necessity from their native lands. May those torn away from their families and forced to leave their country to find work elsewhere be reunited: husbands with wives and parents with children. We ask especially for migrant women and children who are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of human trafficking. Give them your protection and shield them from evil. May we as a Church receive the grace to welcome with love migrants who enter into our country, seeking a home in our parishes and communities. We ask for your prayers and intercession for all immigrants who are desperate, alone and in need of God's loving support. And we ask Our Lady, who appeared to you as your Mother and Mother of all in our land, to wrap her mantle of protection around all migrant people. We beg for her love, compassion, help and protection on all immigrants who today experience great sufferings, sorrows, necessities and misfortunes.
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayer-to-saint-juan-di ego.cfm
Hail Mary
Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia:
El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios,
ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen.
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