We’ve just celebrated my personal favorite on the long list of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12).
Growing up in Southern California, the image of the Blessed Virgin who appeared to St. Juan Diego back in 1531 was absolutely everywhere. She popped up in local restaurants, on bumper stickers, and was in the living rooms of pretty much all of my closest friends. The fact that this image from the tilma was so prevalent during my youth probably has a lot to do with Our Lady of Guadalupe always holding a special place in my heart.
And to be quite honest, I’m not sure where I would be without the powerful intercession of the Mystical Rose in my life.
Mary is said to have appeared four times to St. Juan Diego and one time to Juan Diego’s uncle who was miraculously cured from an illness that was expected to take his life.
No matter how you feel about the apparition, there is absolutely no doubt that what took place on the Hill of Tepeyac nearly 500 years ago changed the course of history not only for Mexico and North America as a whole, but also for the entire world.
The Catholic Church has officially recognized various apparitions throughout history. We took to Catholic Twitter to find out what people’s favorite Marian apparition is:
Our Lady of Good Help (Champion, WI) – #praylocal#shrinesmall
— Julie (@jfount) December 9, 2016
Fatima because of the prayers & prophecies. Lourdes is close 2nd because of the movie Song of Bernadette.
— Connie Poulos 🗺🔭🌿🖋 (@Connie_Ann) December 9, 2016
miraculous medal. Because I've been to Rue du Bac 3X and saw the chair Our Lady sat in.
— Jen Corley (@jlhcorley) December 9, 2016
Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda). I'm not cradle Catholic & this was first apparition I really learned about thanks to Immaculee
— Sarah (@deereatmyplants) December 9, 2016
Our Lady of the Pillar because she appeared to an Apostle. Wow!
— 🍁 🍂 ThankfullyNotVaxxed 🦃 (@ScottyNodak) December 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/PeasantCatholic/status/807346746221207552
Fatima-Miracle of the Sun, prophecies, 20th century, Beautiful Lady
— James Keeler Rollins (@James_Keel_Roll) December 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/Elissa82MI/status/807324838855577600
Guadalupe, because of Mary appearing and speaking as an indigenous woman. Also her only appearance pregnant.
— Joanne ⁷ 💜K💜McThankful 🦃 (@EgTwaddle) December 9, 2016
Lourdes! Fatima! Guadalupe! Knock! Kibeho! Czestochowa! How are we even supposed to choose?!? #toohardiquit
— Annie (@anneryathome) December 9, 2016
Don’t worry! We made it easy for you!!
Our simple poll stating: “My Favorite Marian Apparition is…” saw 171 votes get sorted out in the following order:
Our Lady of Guadalupe 39%
Our Lady of Fatima 26%
Our Lady of Lourdes 21%
Another apparition 14%
So, dear reader, now that you’ve seen what the Catholic corners of Twitter have to say, which Marian apparition is your all-time fav and why?
And today we celebrate...