Probably because of my skeptical bent, most apparitions (including those approved as worthy of belief) are things I can take or leave. I don’t disbelieve in them, but they’re not something I give much thought or spiritual focus to. The great exception to this is the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has been dear to me ever since I was a child reading Tommie dePaola’s outstanding The Lady of Guadalupe
The story of Our Lady’s appearances to Juan Diego is simple and moving on its own, and the significance of her appearance in emphasizing the truly universal nature of Catholicism cannot be underestimated.
Happy December 12th.
Was listening to the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan this morning on the drive in to work. The local “Relevent Radio” is a great source of the positive start to a day. A very groovy and smile generating story by Fr. Joe Krupp of Lansing, MI.
I found out about “Relevent Radio” as I was camping to Bastrop. Great radio station. I wish we had one here in Houston, but our fundraising efforts are not meeting our goals to buy an AM/FM station here (yet).
(scroll down, the website needs serious work: http://www.maxkolberadio.org/index.php
)
There is only one America. Love it or leave it. Right?
???
There are these two continents you may have heard of…
Though I suppose if one loves neither, one is welcome to seek one of the five other continents, yes.
The blessings of historical context are myriad.
Love it or leave it, Darwin. USA! USA! USA!
Michael has received an education, correct?
Love it or leave it, Darwin. USA! USA! USA!
Shouldn’t that be “usa! usa! usa!”?
Good pt., BA.
Yes, rob, I have. And frankly, I’m sick of this “americas” stuff. There is only one America sending its boys to fight to rid the world of evil, and that’s us. I say we take back the name america and apply it only to the REAL america, the only america that has ever given a damn about what “america” really means: Truth, Freedom, the Right to Own Gunz, Monster Trucks, Budweiser, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and Big Damned Aircraft Carriers.
ONE AMERICA, FOREVER
Guadaloupe is easily my favorite apparition. A stunning miracle, indeed.
Michael,
And this pertains to Our Lady…how? I know for some people, everything is a lead-in to their favorite gripe, but isn’t this a stretch? Or do you find it difficult to believe that Our Lady would sully herself by appear in the Americas…long before the USA, and in a place the USA never held dominion? Or do you believe that, by merely mentioning her appearance on the feastday of that appearance somehow means we’re trying to appropriate her to vindicate every action the USA has taken?
BTW: I hope the first three in your list of what “america” stands for were meant to be juxtaposed against the rest as showing you believe that “america” stands for contradictory things, because otherwise I would think that a) you disapprove of truth, freedom, and gun rights, or b) that you actually approve of Monster Trucks, Budweiser, et al.
Please, Michael: do you have anything positive to say about Our Lady?
I think Michael is just being sarcastic, although it’s completely a propos of nothing, and is distinguishable from his usual postings only in that he’s trying to come up with something stupid to say in favor of the US.
I think Michael is just being sarcastic, although it’s completely a propos of nothing, and is distinguishable from his usual postings only in that he’s trying to come up with something dimwitted to say in favor of the US.
Our Lady is my mother and she appears to whomever she wishes to appear.
But we must fight for our exclusive right to the name “America.” It’s ours. Only one America, forever! USA! USA! USA!
Dale,
I believe that the mass conversion that occured after the appearance of Our Lady is still the largest mass conversion in history.
Michael,
I’m sure you think you’re making some terribly clever point via biting sarcasm, but since your parody bears no relation to the reality of anyone’s views around here, it’s falling very flat as satire.
Probably the most astounding miracle of them all, Tito. BTW, there is a gentleman here in Michigan, Pablo Calzada, who does a great presentation on OLG. Strongly recommended. There’s an excellent children’s book on it that my eldest has taken to. I’ll look for it when I get home and post the title, author and illustrator.
“the Right to Own Gunz, Monster Trucks, Budweiser, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and Big Damned Aircraft Carriers.”
Not sure, but I think all of these things are either good or morally neutral.. well.. except the SI Swimsuit Issue. That’s an occasion for sin.
I must have missed the encyclicals banning moster trucks, guns, beer, or the one requiring us to beat swords into plowshares.
Personally I think this is just cultural snobbery of the lowest type. And not well executed at that. (Aimed at the wrong audience, for one)
“Cultural snobbery”? Are you kidding me?
Thanks for the dePaola recommendation.