Hajja Salesjana - May June 2016

24 Infact it is a well known customary fact of his that before and after every apostolic trip, he goes to pay a visit to Our Lady at St. Mary Major’s Basilica in Rome. As he does so, he always carries with him a bouquet of flowers as a sign of his affection to the Mother of the Church. This gesture I believe is an eloquent sign of his filial love for the humble, yet great Mother of God. Being a South American from Argentina, it is not at all surprising that he has a great love towards Our Lady of Guadalupe. In fact, while on his recent visit to Mexico, at the conclusion of holy mass celebrated at the hallowed and much loved basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis led the faithful in the rite of It is an undoubted state of fact that our dear Pope Francis, as his predecessors, loves Our Blessed Mother very deeply. This marian devotion is very evident in Pope Francis’ life and ministry. coronation of the image of the Most Holy Virgin of Guadalupe. An image so dearly loved, cherished and well known worldwide. The actual and original miraculous image dates back to 1531, when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on Mount Tepeyac. Juan Diego was canonized Coronation of the Most Holy Virgin of Guadalupe Pope Francis at prayer before Our Lady of Guadalupe at the end of the Mass, with the crown that was blessed placed beside the Icon. by Fr. Sandro Camilleri SDB