Dec. 12 marks
the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Catholic Church. It dates
to 1531 when Catholics believe the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to
Juan Diego, an Aztec peasant at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. Latinos venerate
Bl. Juan Diego on Dec. 9 and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Their feast days are part
of Catholic Advent celebrations. Here are free printable Our Lady of
Guadalupe lesson plans. Lesson plans on Mexico are included.
Loyola
Press tells of Juan Diego, who reported seeing a "lady clothed with the sun" who commanded him to build a church. To
prove that she was the Blessed Virgin Mary she caused her image to be
emblazoned on Diego's tilma (cactus fiber cloak). Loyola Press provides a
printable image made from the icon that parents can have children color as they
tell the story.
Mary
our Mother describes many miracles associated with Our Lady of Guadalupe's image. It provides a Biblical analysis, dates,
timeline, history and biographies. There is a cultural analysis on relations
between Spanish explorers and missionaries and the native Aztec in Mexico in
the 16th century. Many terms are Aztec or Spanish and this site provides
translation. Parents can use these to explain the significance of Our Lady of
Guadalupe for Catholics and Hispanics.
Mother of All Peoples tells how the Guadalupe apparition of Mary
fits with other appearances of Our Lady. Tradition in Action offers slide shows
about scientific aspects of
Our Lady's image. Parents can use this
to help children understand the image from a technological viewpoint.
Catholic
Heritage Curricula has many free home-school activities. It offers a
how-to-draw coloring page of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Catholic Mom has free printable Our Lady of Guadalupe lessons, games, puzzles, coloring sheets and
activities. There are several printable crafts.
Sancta
has printable prayers and holy cards. Sancta gives parents permission to print these
images and use them for family devotions.
Children's author and illustrator Tomie de Paola wrote "The Lady of Guadalupe." Parents can use this version to tell the story to younger children. The book contains many helpful and references and some activities too.
Children's author and illustrator Tomie de Paola wrote "The Lady of Guadalupe." Parents can use this version to tell the story to younger children. The book contains many helpful and references and some activities too.