OUR LADY of GUADALUPE--PATRONESS of the USA?

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As once again we celebrate thejoyous Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is it not opportune to pray and reflect onthe possibility that she be named a Special Patroness of the United States?

This suggestion in no way diminishesthe importance of our primary Patroness here in our country, Our Lady under hertitle of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated each December 8^th. 

I was privileged to serve as one ofthe three President—Delegates of the Special Assembly for the Americas of theSynod of Bishops which took place in the Vatican from November 16 to December12, 1997.  Those four weeks wereinspiring and opened new opportunities to explore the remarkable role of OurLady of Guadalupe across all of the Americas, especially as she relates to thepoor and marginalized of our society. The fact that she chose to be depicted as an indigenous Indian youngwoman speaks volumes about God’s love for the lowest and the least amongus. 
That Special Assembly concluded withthe celebration of a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of OurLady of Guadalupe, and it was obvious that the enormous walls of that Basilicacould not contain the love and devotion we all had for our Madre Morenita.  What makes Our Lady of Guadalupe so unique isthat this is the only artistic portrayal of her ever given to us, her children!
 Devotion to her is not limited tothose with their roots in Mexico.  Shehas become endeared to peoples all around the world and is celebrated inspecial ways in so many cultures and religious devotions. 
The Fathers of the SpecialAssembly asked Pope John Paul II to name her as Patroness of the Americas.  Our Holy Father traveled to Mexico City andon January 22, 1999 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, he solemnlyproclaimed her Patroness of the Americas.

The depth and richness of our devotion to Mary, in my opinion, does notlimit us to simply one expression of her many titles.  Why could we not proclaim Mary under twopatronal titles:  the ImmaculateConception, and, Our Lady of Guadalupe?
As we in this country move forward with eagerness and enthusiasm tobring Jesus Christ to more of our brothers and sisters through the NewEvangelization, what could be more appropriate than to link Jesus and hisMother to our overall efforts?
With our Catholic Church increasing daily with so many Hispanicmembers, how fitting it would be for them to witness that shared love we allhave with them for Our Lady of Guadalupe!
¡Viva Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe!