A Mother’s Day Tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe

by Maria Cynthia Aquino My mom was a Marian devotee, specifically to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Growing up, I distinctly remember every summer, the image of Our Lady would make rounds in our neighborhood. When the image would visit our home, my mom would oblige us to recite the entire rosary scheduled that day after dinner. But as soon as I hit my teenage years, I began to question why we have to pray to Our Lady when we can go straight to God. This made my mom disappointed and we would argue to no end. Fast forward to when I am now an adult, a wife, and a mother, suddenly, I catch myself praying the rosary and calling Our Lady to intercede on my behalf whenever I face struggles, whether personally, financially, or even when I encounter challenges at work. Then came the biggest TRIAL of my life… I was diagnosed with the BIG C!

Last November 2024 after undergoing hysteroscopic dilation and curettage (D&C) due to spotting, I had a feeling something was off with my body and true enough it turned out the results showed I had adenocarcinoma, or endometrial cancer. My doctor advised me to have a total hysterectomy right away to know the extent of the cancer. I had to get the usual cardio-pulmonary clearance before the surgery. That’s the time I got to know about Our Lady of Guadalupe, as my primary care physician was a devotee. 

A tilma is a traditional cloak or outer garment worn by indigenous men in Mexico during the time of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In Catholic tradition, the tilma is especially associated with Saint Juan Diego. File photo from Catholicism Coffee

Today, replicas of the tilma are often used in healing services, blessings, or devotional practices connected to Our Lady of Guadalupe.| File photo from National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

He arranged for me to meet with a healing priest before my scheduled surgery. We started with confession, and when he anointed me with the holy oil, prayed over me, and when he placed the tilma over my shoulders, I began to cry and felt the loving embrace of Our Lady. It was as if the heavy load I was carrying for so many years was lifted, signifying that everything will be all right. I know I was ready for surgery, and come December 2024, I went under the knife. 

The operation was a success and I was discharged after 5 days, a day before the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The post-surgery results came and my cancer was caught early. I was advised to either undergo brachytherapy or opt to be monitored regularly to make sure there would be no recurrence. Regardless of what option I chose, I have changed. I’m not the same person I was before the diagnosis. From then on, I always start my day with the mysteries of the holy rosary followed by a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe, which, thanks to technology, is now easier to look for. My husband and I also made sure we visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati as a thank you for being with me through my journey to healing. 

Now, I understand why growing up my mom never let a day pass without her reciting the Holy Rosary and praying her novena. Even if my mom is no longer with me, I know she has left me in good hands – to Our Lady of Guadalupe.