In the liturgical calendar, the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated as a solemnity in Mexico, South and Central America and many other countries. This celebration is of great importance because Our Lady of Guadalupe, or La Morenita, meaning “little dark one,” as she is affectionately called, has allowed many indigenous peoples to identify with her and her message. The Church recognizes that in 1531, Mary appeared to Juan Diego dressed as an Aztec princess, with dark hair and olive skin. In communicating her appearance, thus, she restored dignity to the Aztec people of Mexico after they had suffered and endured many years of inhumane European colonization.

At the end of their annual Passover dinner, our Jewish brothers and sisters exclaim, “Next year, Jerusalem!” This is not a wish for a change in venue, but rather a bold prayer that the next Passover will be the Final One – the one that is celebrated in the fullness of God’s Reign, in the fullness of God’s Presence.