In December 1531 the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico asking him to have the Bishop Juan de Zumarraga to build a church in her honor. The Bishop was reluctant to just take his word and asked for sign from Juan. He returned with a cloak of roses which were not native to the area. The Blessed Virgin had arranged the roses in his cloak and she told him to bring them to the Bishop. When he showed the bishop and even more wondrous sign appeared; a remarkable portrait of Our Lady was imprinted on the coarse fabric of his cloak. The image and the cloak are displayed for the veneration of the faithful to this day at Our Lady of Guadalupe basilica of Mexico City.
The Knights of Columbus have over the years had 7 Silver Roses made. One Rose was presented to Pope Francis in 2014. For the past 56 years the silver roses traveled from Canada to Mexico to symbolize unity among the peoples in the Americas. The rose is also a symbol of the pro-life movement, which recognizes Our Lady of Guadalupe as its patroness. The roses began their journey in Canada in May, and for six months they have been carried by Knights of Columbus throughout the western, central and eastern corridors of North America. The journey concluded on December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the basilica bearing her name in Mexico City. The roses will be presented before an image of Our Lady.
The Silver Rose program is replete with symbolism. The seven guides carrying the roses represent the sacraments of the Catholic faith and the ways to approach God. The thorns represent all the efforts and sacrifices of the Columbian Squires and Knights of Columbus along the way. Lastly, the strong stem represents faith.
One of these Silver Roses will be here at St. Stephens Church in Good Shepherd Parish on Sunday October 15th. Please come and join us in this Celebration of the Silver Rose for Our Lady of Guadalupe. To see the routes of the Silver Roses please go to www.runningoftherose.org
