Advent and Our Lady

Throughout the Advent Season, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be displayed within our churches. This is an image appropriate for veneration during this season since in it, Our Lady is depicted as pregnant. The dark-colored ribbon that can be seen just above Mary’s waistline is an indicator that she is with child. The trapezoid-shaped ends of the ribbon also meant something to the Aztecs who saw this as a symbol for the end of an era and the birth of a new one.

It is also appropriate since the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated within Advent, on December 12. Following an ancient Benedictine custom, a single candle will burn before the image reminding us that the Immaculate Virgin bears the Light of the World.