As we prepare our hearts for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we enter a time of trust, hope and renewed devotion. Mary came to Saint Juan Diego as a mother who sees the burdens of her children and draws near with tenderness. Her presence on Tepeyac revealed God’s desire to lift the lowly, comfort the sorrowing and gather all peoples into a single family shaped by mercy.
This novena invites us to walk with her over nine days, opening our lives to the grace she carries. In her message we hear a voice that speaks to every generation:
“Am I not here, who am your mother?”
Through these days of prayer we place our needs in her hands and ask for the strength to follow Christ with courage.
May this time deepen our trust in God, renew our compassion for those who suffer and awaken in us a heart that listens. With Mary as our guide, we begin this novena asking for her intercession and her unfailing care.
Opening Prayer for All Days
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Crucified One and our Mother, you who offered consolation to a wounded people on Tepeyac, look upon us with your eyes of tenderness. Teach us to contemplate the Passion of your Son, to recognize His presence in those who suffer, and to trust completely in the Father’s love.
St. Paul of the Cross taught us that “the remembrance of the Passion of Jesus is the most powerful medicine.” Accompany us during these days as a journey of healing, hope, and surrender.
Amen.
Final Prayer for All Days
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…
Our Lady of Guadalupe, walk with us.
Crucified Jesus, have mercy on your people.
DAY 1 — December 3
Theme: “Mary Who Walks with a Wounded People”
Intention: For all who suffer injustice and cry out for freedom.
Scripture: Exodus 3:7–8
And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people, which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
Reflection: Mary of Guadalupe walks with every wounded heart, just as God descended to free His people. Passionist spirituality recognizes in every human suffering a participation in the Cross of Christ.
DAY 2 — December 4
Theme: “The Merciful Gaze of Mary”
Intention: For those who need to feel God’s maternal love.
Scripture: John 19:25–27
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then he said to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Reflection: Mary remains at the foot of the Cross, her gaze filled with courage and tenderness. She looks upon John—and us—with a love that sustains in suffering.
DAY 3 — December 5
Theme: “Mary, Home of Hope”
Intention: For those who need renewed faith and courage.
Scripture: Luke 1:26–38
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled… And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus… Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered… For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Reflection: Mary’s “Let it be done” is a total surrender to God. St. Paul of the Cross reminds us: “Trust in God; He is Father… He would sooner let heaven and earth collapse than abandon anyone who trusts in Him.”
DAY 4 — December 6
Theme: “Mary Consoles Broken Hearts”
Intention: For those in grief, illness, or loneliness.
Scripture: Isaiah 66:12–13
For thus saith the Lord, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like a flowing stream. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Reflection: Her words to Juan Diego—“Am I not here, I who am your Mother?”—echo God’s promise of consolation. Mary holds our tears and brings them to the Father.
DAY 5 — December 7
Theme: “The Cross Blossoms into Life”
Intention: For those praying for a miracle or sign of hope.
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1–6
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing… Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not… Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart…
Reflection: The roses of Tepeyac bloom in winter, a Passionist sign that life springs forth from suffering. Mary turns deserts into gardens of grace.
DAY 6 — December 8 (Immaculate Conception)
Theme: “Mary Full of Grace”
Intention: For holiness and purity of heart in the Church.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3–6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace.
Reflection: Mary’s purity reveals God’s love in perfect clarity. She shows us how to live fully for Christ.
DAY 7 — December 9 (St. Juan Diego)
Theme: “The Humble Messenger of God’s Love”
Intention: For Indigenous peoples, migrants, and the forgotten.
Scripture: Psalm 34:18–19
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Reflection: Juan Diego embodies humility and trust—the ones God chooses to reveal His glory.
DAY 8 — December 10
Theme: “The Mantle That Embraces All People”
Intention: For unity in families and communities.
Scripture: Revelation 12:1
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
Reflection: Mary’s mantle is wide enough to hold all humanity. As Christ extended His arms on the Cross, Mary extends her mantle to gather us in mercy.
DAY 9 — December 11
Theme: “Mary, Star of Evangelization”
Scripture: Matthew 28:19–20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Reflection: Mary of Guadalupe is the great missionary of the Americas. Her message is Jesus: tenderness, justice, and salvation.
Intention: For missionaries, catechists, and all who serve.
December 12 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Theme: “Mother of Life, Lady of the Passion, Queen of Hope”
Intention: For our families, community, Church, and nation.
Scripture: John 19:26–27
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Reflection: Mary is given to us at the Cross and again at Tepeyac. She walks with the poor, heals the broken, and brings Christ to the world.
Final Prayer for December 12
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Crucified One and Mother of all, keep us under your mantle and close to your heart. Help us to contemplate your Son’s Passion and to recognize Him in the crucified of today. Stay with us, guide us, and lead us always to Jesus.
Amen.