Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady

• Guadalupe

  Tepeyac, Mexico · 1531

  

  Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego, a poor Nahua convert, on Tepeyac Hill. When the bishop asked for a sign, Castilian roses grew on the winter hill, and Our Lady’s image was left on his tilma — a mother who comes first to the poor, and through whom the Americas were brought to Our Lady’s Son.

  Main messages

  • “I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God through Whom everything lives.”
  • “I want very much that they build my sacred little house here, so that in it I may show Him, exalt Him, and give Him to the people.”
  • “Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?”
  • Our Lady is mother of all who live in this land, and of every people who love Our Lady, cry to Our Lady, and have confidence in Our Lady.

  Read more about Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Lourdes

  Lourdes, France · 1858

  

  In the grotto of Massabielle Our Lady appeared eighteen times to St. Bernadette Soubirous, a poor miller’s child. Our Lady revealed a spring that still draws the sick, asked for a chapel and processions, and — four years after the dogma — named herself the Immaculate Conception. From that hidden cave a place of washing, candlelight, and pilgrimage has never ceased.

  Main messages

  • When Bernadette asked her name, Our Lady said: “I am the Immaculate Conception” — the dogma defined four years earlier, spoken by the Lady herself.
  • “Penance! Penance! Penance! Pray to God for sinners. Go, kiss the ground for the conversion of sinners.”
  • Drink at the spring and wash there; come in procession; tell the priests to build a chapel here. The water and the processions remain the signs of Lourdes.
  • Our Lady said to Bernadette: “I do not promise to make you happy in this world, but in the next.”

  Read more about Our Lady of Lourdes

• Fatima

  Fátima, Portugal · 1917

  

  After the Angel of Peace prepared them, Our Lady appeared to Lúcia, Francisco, and Jacinta six times, asked for the daily Rosary, showed them hell and Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, and confirmed the message by the Miracle of the Sun before a great crowd.

  Main messages

  • Pray the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and the end of war.
  • Offer prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins against the Immaculate Heart.
  • Jesus wants to establish devotion to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart: “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
  • Consecration of Russia and Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

  Read more about Our Lady of Fatima

All Marian Apparitions