"My little son. Do not be distressed and afraid. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?"
Guadalupe is my oldest son's patroness. I wore a medal of her at his birth, and since toddlerhood he's had a special devotion.
My Grandmother died in 2006. Being a Mexicana buena, she had an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in every room of her home. When she died, we, being the only other Catholics in the family, inherited all her statues and images- including the plentiful Guadalupes.
In my romantic and whimsical mind, I like to think my Grandma or Providence fused her love for Lupe to her 3 year old great-grandson at her death.
Playing peek-a-boo with his baby brother (and later, sister), Jake has always substituted "Guuua-da-LUPE!!" for "peek-a-boo". Earlier this year when our little girl got her first doll, it was almost instantly named Lupe.
For the past two Guadalupe Feasts we've choreographed elaborate Juan Diego skits, Jake with endless enthusiasm.
I love his love for her. Methinks my Grandma does too.
Happy Lupe Day, may you remain under her shadow and protection!
Amen.