A Family Feast for Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico. She is often referred to as the Patroness of the Americas. Many of the Catholic Churches throughout North and Central Americans display her image somewhere on the parish grounds.

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe begins with an elderly Aztec peasant who had converted to the Catholic Faith. Early on the morning of December 9, Juan Diego was on his way to morning Mass when he was startled by the image of Our Lady. She appeared to him as a native princess, a figure that would be less frightening, something he could recognize and understand. She instructed Juan Diego to visit his bishop, that a chapel should be built on this site. She wanted the suffering of Mexico to come to the chapel and offer up their petitions to her here.

Juan Diego met with the bishop, who listened but did not act. He suspected Juan to be insane, or possessed or some sort of a con man. Juan returned to Tepecyac Hill, ashamed that he had failed. The radiant lady tells him to go again, and make his plea once more. Again he is turned down. This time the Bishop asks for proof of the Lady’s existence.

When Juan returned home, his uncle was very sick and about to die. So Juan did not return to the Lady, instead cared for his uncle for 2 days. Finally, it was obvious that nothing more could be done for the uncle, so Juan rushed off to find a priest to prepare his uncle for death. On the road, Our Lady appeared for the third time. Juan explained that the Bishop needed a sign, some sort of proof, but he was embarrassed to ask, and that his uncle was very sick. Our Lady replied, “Am I not your mother? Are you not in the crossing of my arms?” She then told Juan to climb to the top of Tepecyac Hill to pick the flowers there and bring them to the Bishop as a sign.

For a third time, Juan Diego goes to see the bishop. Juan opened his cloak, and roses cascade to the floor. Both men are astonished, not by the roses which grew only in Spain yet had somehow appeared on the hill, but by the beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe painted on his humble cloak. This time the Bishop agreed.

When Juan returned him, his uncle was well. For while Juan cut flowers on the hill, Our Lady appeared to his uncle and the fever stopped. She told the uncle she wanted to be known as Santa Maria de Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe did not appear again, for her mission on behalf of her son was complete.

On October 12, 1945, Pope Pius XII degreed Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the Patroness of All the Americans. In Mexico, her feast day of December 12 is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Family Feast for Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mexican Pot Roast with Potatoes
Colorful Bell Pepper Corn

Slow-Cooker Mexican Pot Roast
1 large White Onion
1 lb Baby Red Potatoes
3 lb boneless Beef Chuck Roast
2 teaspoons ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning mix
1 can Ro-Tel Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Chili

Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

Cut onion in half, then into thinly sliced slivers. Scrub potatoes, then cut in half. Arrange onion and potatoes in slow cooker.

Trim excess fat from the roast, then set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, salt and pepper. Rub half of the seasoning mix over one side of the roast. Turn roast over, rub with remaining spice. Place roast in the slow cooker over the potatoes and onions.

Mix taco seasoning into the Ro-Tel tomatoes, then pour over the beef. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until beef is tender.

To serve, place the roast on a large serving dish. Cut into serving size chunks. Surround the roast with potatoes and onions. Serve and enjoy.

Colorful Bell Pepper Corn
1 can White Corn
1/2 cup Orange Bell Pepper, cut into strips
1 small Shallot Onion, thinly sliced
2 Roma Tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup Butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup milk

Drain all liquid from the corn. Place in a saucepan over medium heat and warm corn. While the corn is cooking, julienne bell pepper, thinly slice the shallot onion and chop the tomatoes. Set aside.

Once corn is cooked, drain any liquid from the pan.. Add the butter, onions, bell pepper and salt . Cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are heated through.

Add milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 2 minutes or until heated through.

Remove from the heat; stir in tomatoes just before serving.

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Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
From you rose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord.