The Feast of Our Lady of Lady of Guadalupe took on even greater meaning this year for
Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, with members of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe
Viatorians living at the Viatorian Province Center. For exactly 60 years, they have partnered with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe, consequently their feast day is a day to reflect on their joint ministries.
Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, provincial, celebrated Mass for the retired Viatorians living at the Province Center, as well as staff members and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe, themselves.
“Today, we celebrate not just that Mary appeared to Juan Diego on a hill, but we celebrate that Mary fully revealed herself, and allowed him to share that with the bishop and the world,” Fr. von Behren, CSV, said. “It was an apparition that changed lives. It brought us to the reality of who Mary really was.”
During his reflections, Fr. von Behren noted the similarity between Juan Diego trying to be heard by the bishop, and Joseph and Mary trying to find room in Bethlehem.
“It’s a beautiful feast because it allows us to focus on Mary,” Fr. von Behren, added, “and the vessel that she was, opening herself up to God’s words: Be it done to me, according to your word.”