Guadeloupe

OUR LADY...  

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is often read as a coded image. Miguel Sanchez, the author of the 1648 tract Imagen de la Virgen María, described the Virgin's image as the Woman of the Apocalypse.  "Arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars."  

Our Lady spoke to Saint Juan Diego in 1531, and said: 

 "Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you: let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?" 

~To Our Lady Dark Yet Fair~ 

O hail, thou Virgen de Guadalupe! Unfailing refuge, our solace in days of grief, Radiant Queen so kind, our Mother of sweet relief ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Lovely Maid, fairest star above the sea! Advocate e'er gracious of clemency and love, Deign to listen to our pleas, O mother above ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!

 Yea, O Lady of Guadalupe; O meek and gentlest One, take heed to our groaning; For oft we stumble and raise to thee our moaning ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Golden gate of heav'n, thou radiant portal; Unstained by sin, blissful queen of heav'n and earth, Aid me that I may love Him whom you did give birth ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Daughter of God, thou queen of royalty, Ave Maria! With joyful hearts we hail thee! Look on us so kindly, O Blessed Virgin Mary! ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Unfailing refuge and sweetest Mother; Pearl of grace so fair, fail not thine children to care, E'er our sweetest Advocate who did God once bear ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! -- Jeong-Bo Shim

Jeong-Bo is a thirteen year old boy who lives with his family in Corvallis, Oregon. 

 

THIS PIECE... 

This pendant is REALLY exceptional. It's a beautiful rendering of

 Our Lady of Guadeloupe in a petit silver metal frame. It's a really colorful and detailed image, and whether you like it for it's kitsch value or it's Catholicism it's hard to not like the beautiful aesthetic qualities of this charm. it can be made into a necklace if preferred... Just let me know when you order it.  I love Guadeloupe on many levels, a penchant for saints angels and their renderings aside I truly believe she has been with me for a long time - coming in and out of my life at different times and pointing the way... helping me along the path if you will. Her glorious image is something I've always connected with.  When I met the love of my life he told me how at his place of work there was a beautiful painting of her and a plaque that quoted the words Our Lady spoke to Saint Juan Diego in 1531. 

I thought this was a beautiful statement and as it turned out our paths had crossed before at an earlier time before we met under this same painting. I am not a religious person, but this saint has definitely been watching over me and my love. I hope this piece brings you joy.