Our Lady of Guadalupe
An idea. . . a vision. . .a deep love of the Mother of God . . . a genuine devotion to Our Lady sparked the creative genius that, over time, grew to become the mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Studying the apparition of Our Lady to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill
Pondering how this might be shared with children and teens in a meaningful way. . .
Old jewelry. . . collected and disassembled. . . sorted by color
Odds and ends of beads. . . sorted by color
A hollow door from the hardware store
2 X 4s in the hands of a creative carpenter become a frame
Simple but necessary tasks in order for the project to happen.
A sketch of the image gradually grows into a mosaic taking on a life of its own.
Little fingers carefully placing colored beads and jewels.
Older hands guiding and directing. . . also placing beads and jewels.
School children and Religious Education children and families working together
An intergenerational project . . . a cooperative project.
A thousand people. . . children, teens and adults. . . working together to create a beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A thousand people. . . children, teens and adults. . . learning the story of Juan Diego and the image on his tilma.
A thousand people. . . sharing their love of Our Lady with the parish of Saint Linus.
Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. . . Patroness of the Americas. . . .Pray for us!
Preparations for a Family Mass, a blessing of the mosaic and a Fiesta to follow.
Children, teens, adults, families making invitations, placemats, flowers and papel picado to turn the gym into "a feast for the eyes". . . a place filled with color and action. . . a place fitting for a celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Families gather to celebrate. . . a bi-lingual Mass. . . the special Guadalupe choir. . . Cuerdas Clasicas. . . roses for Our Lady . . . Mary, Queen of Heaven parish and Saint Linus parish. . . sharing cultural and religious gifts. . . being the Body of Christ. . . celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe!
The Story of
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mosaic
The children and teens of Saint Linus parish worked
on a mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Each grade level
in the Parish School and Religious Education program
devoted time to this project.
See a beautiful creation in progress!!
Sorting and preparing the beads
Everyone worked diligently
to complete our mosaic!
Almost finished. . .
A closer look. . .
Our Lady of Guadalupe mosaic is finished!
"Unveiling Our Lady"
Recalling the story of Juan Diego
Isn't she beautiful?
The mosaic is finished at last!
Our Lady travels to the church for the Blessing of Expectant Families
Preparing for the Fiesta on October 19, 2003
Our Lady of Guadalupe back in church
after traveling to "Fall on the Green" in Oak Lawn.
Families prepare for the Fiesta
Preparing treats for the children
Saturday children and teens prepare for the Fiesta
Preparing the invitations to our Celebration
Learning to make flowers for the Fiesta
Creating beautiful papel picado for the Fiesta
When all is ready the decorating of the gym begins!
Celebration Honoring
Our Lady of Guadalupe
October 2003
Preparing the Mass booklet
Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red
Making just a few more flowers. . . .
Stringing the papel picado
The transformation begins. . .
Almost ready. . .
Preparing a place for Our Lady of Guadalupe. . .
At last all is ready for the celebration!
Viva para siempre la Guadalupana,
O dark skinned Madonna,
Maid of Tepeyac.
Smile upon your children,
O radiant Maria!
O beacon of justice,
of hope and of love!
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
. . .
A child is born to us,
a son is given us. . .
they shall name him Prince of Peace.
A great sign appeared in the sky,
a woman clothed with the sun
with the moon under her feet. . .
O Maria, Madre mia
oh consuelo del mortal,
amparadme y guidadme
a la patria celestial.
The children present their roses to Our Lady. . .
What a feast!
Inspecting details of the mosaic!
Let the children come to me. . .
Cuerdas Clasicas
A candy treat and a flower for all who came to the Fiesta!
Enjoying the celebration!
The fiesta's over and now it's clean up time!
May I have just ONE more piece of candy?
Good to the last bite!
What can we do with so MANY pretty flowers?
Why not share them with a nursing home?
(Actually they went to Brentwood)
What can we do with these beautiful decorations?
There must be SOME USE for them!
We'll decorate the school!
Our Lady of Guadalupe is back in church
with her many roses
after a beautiful celebration!
"Dios te salve Maria"
* * * * * *
Our Lady of Guadalupe
travels to Navy Pier for the Festival of Faith
Our Lady is well protected for the journey. . .
Will she fit through the door?
On her way. . . to the Festival of Faith!
Our Lady of Guadalupe returns to Saint Linus
after the Festival of Faith
* * * * * *