“Our Lady of Guadalupe” play

Mrs. Gladys Orozco’s third grade class at St. Sebastian School presented their “Our Lady of Guadalupe” play December 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Participants included David Romero as Juan Diego, Aracelí Landeros portraying Our Lady of Guadalupe, Joshua Alvarado as the Bishop, and Narrators Tonisha Pacheco, Brianna Holguin, Victor Marquez, Samantha Silva, Allisen Hansen, Jacqueline Antonaccí, and Nathan Parson. Adding to the program were Mariachí Camarillo and guest singer Dr. Sonia Padilla. “Our Lady of Guadalupe” tells the story of a tilma (cloak) made of cactus cloth which hangs in a great church in Mexico City. This type of cloth seldom lasts more than 20 years, but this one has lasted for centuries. The cloak belonged to an Aztec native of Mexico, Juan Diego. In 1531, at Guadalupe, Mary appeared to him. She was dressed as an Aztec princess, with dark skin and hair. Around her waist she wore a sash that was worn by pregnant women at that time.Mary spoke kindly to Juan and asked that a church be built on the site. When he told the bishops, they didn’t believe him. As a sign, Mary guided Juan to a site where wild roses were blooming - in the middle of winter. Juan gathered the roses under the tilma to show the bishops. When he opened his cloak, the bishops saw an image of Mary on the inside of the tilma.A few years earlier, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortéz had made contact with the Aztec people and introduced them to Christianity. The Spanish, however, did not live their religion as Christians because they treated the Aztecs cruelly. Mary’s appearance as an Aztec was a rebuke to the Spanish for their treatment of these poor people. Her message was one of hope and compassion. Since then, many miracles have been credited to Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is the patron saint of Mexico and honored throughout the world.