Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Lesson Plan & Celebration Guide
December 12 is the day we in the Roman Catholic church celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We commemorate the apparition or appearance of Mary, Our Blessed Mother, to a poor Indian in Mexico in 1513. Juan Diego, to whom Our Lady appeared was one of a small group of Aztecs who had taken up the faith of the Franciscan missionaries. The apparitions was the source of several breath-taking miracles and the conversion of over 8 million to Christianity.
The story of Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe is too lovely and astonishing to relate in this format, and I don't want to spoil the surprise for you, so I will recommend you read to all your students and family this year, The Lady of Guadalupe, by Tomie DePaola. There are many other books about the miracle, with scholarly research, documentation and information, but Tomie's is the perfect first introduction to the story, for all ages. Sancta.org, presents the story in a lovely way as well.
DePaola's lovely illustrations based upon the Siennese school of art from the 12 and 13th centuries is a wondrous complement to the story. He imitates the frescoes of the early churches, which were large murals painted with egg tempera on wet plaster.
After you read the story, whether to students, family or children, celebrate the miracle and also the awesome faith of the Hispanic communities. Here are some activities for you to try easily with most any age.
Naturally, a fiesta (Spanish for 'feast'), is a must. Decorate a red, green and yellow (colors of the Mexican flag). Twist crepe paper streams along the length of the tables and tape to the bottom. Light candles to celebrate the light of the world which is Jesus. Serve up a spicy taco bar, tamales, burritos, refried beans, chips and salsa, Spanish rice. Easy Spanish rice is to mix cooked rice with salsa. Serve orange juice, lemonade and lime-ade to drink. Oranges, lemons and limes are grown locally in many areas of Mexico. If you are fortunate enough Hispanic community members, enlist their advice and assistance.
The story of Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe is too lovely and astonishing to relate in this format, and I don't want to spoil the surprise for you, so I will recommend you read to all your students and family this year, The Lady of Guadalupe, by Tomie DePaola. There are many other books about the miracle, with scholarly research, documentation and information, but Tomie's is the perfect first introduction to the story, for all ages. Sancta.org, presents the story in a lovely way as well.
DePaola's lovely illustrations based upon the Siennese school of art from the 12 and 13th centuries is a wondrous complement to the story. He imitates the frescoes of the early churches, which were large murals painted with egg tempera on wet plaster.
After you read the story, whether to students, family or children, celebrate the miracle and also the awesome faith of the Hispanic communities. Here are some activities for you to try easily with most any age.
Naturally, a fiesta (Spanish for 'feast'), is a must. Decorate a red, green and yellow (colors of the Mexican flag). Twist crepe paper streams along the length of the tables and tape to the bottom. Light candles to celebrate the light of the world which is Jesus. Serve up a spicy taco bar, tamales, burritos, refried beans, chips and salsa, Spanish rice. Easy Spanish rice is to mix cooked rice with salsa. Serve orange juice, lemonade and lime-ade to drink. Oranges, lemons and limes are grown locally in many areas of Mexico. If you are fortunate enough Hispanic community members, enlist their advice and assistance.
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