Missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to come to Sioux City

By Renee Webb, Globe editor
March 23, 2006

Many people throughout the world have developed a love for Our Lady of Guadalupe, the pregnant mother of God who appeared to Juan Diego of Mexico in 1531. The Blessed Mother miraculously left her image on the tilma - cloak - of Diego.

According to Marge Stanek, a member of the board at Trinity Heights in Sioux City, an exact digital replica of that image, The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be in Sioux City on April 1. Among the activities planned include a 1 p.m. rosary led by Bishop R. Walker Nickless at Trinity Heights.

"The image is four-by-six-feet in size," described Stanek. It is an exact digital image that was reproduced on cloth similar to the original tilma.

Stanek was approached about bringing this image to Sioux City from a pro-life friend, Christine Wilson of Council Bluffs. Wilson had called Stanek to inform her that the image would be in the Council Bluffs area for about 10 days. It was being brought there due to the opening of a pro-life crisis pregnancy center on March 25. Wilson knew of Stanek's pro-life advocacy work and wondered if Sioux City wanted the image for a brief time.

"Of course, I said yes right away," said Stanek.

She pointed out that the Bishops of Mexico commissioned to make the replica image in 1981 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Our Lady's apparitions. The image was blessed and stored near the original tilma that is housed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.

Back in 1991 when the image was given to the United States, Mexican Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas said, "The Catholic people of Mexico and I pray to God that the paths of the Journey of the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout the United States of America, become rays of Our Lady's love, care, protection and help for all of her children, particularly the unborn."

The bishops of Mexico viewed this replica image as a tool for evangelization. Since 1991, the image has visited numerous locations throughout the United States. Dan Lynch is the national director of this evangelization ministry via the image.

"He is the one who helps to see that it gets moved around the nation from different locations - especially at abortion clinics," noted Stanek. "It is to proclaim the message of life because that was the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe - to convert millions by her peaceful and prayerful presence, to change the culture into a culture of life and to refocus on the sanctity of the family."

Lynch is unable to accompany the image when it is in Nebraska and Iowa, so Stanek's friend Christine, her husband Roger and Francis Bogdanyi will serve as guardians of the image for that 10- to 12-day period.

While the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be in Sioux City for just one day, a full array of activities have been planned on April 1.

Trinity Heights will host the image from noon to 3 p.m. in the Marian Center. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will already be taking place in the chapel at Trinity Heights, then the people will process with the image and the Blessed Sacrament to the Marian Center. The bishop will lead the rosary at 1 p.m. Deacon Bill Berger will be on hand.

"The center for the activity will be on the Blessed Sacrament, but we will set up a side area where we will have this image of Our Lady of Guadalupe," said Stanek. "When people venerate this image, they will be allowed to come up and touch or kiss it." Veneration will be done quietly, out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament.

People may opt to place prayer intentions near the image.

She mentioned that many people have claimed that they have received special graces - even spiritual or physical healings - from being near this image. Other are convinced that it has helped to close various abortion mills.

Following activities at Trinity Heights, the image will be taken to the Planned Parenthood Clinic on Stone Ave. in Sioux City where it is estimated that about 30 abortions take place monthly. The rosary and pro-life prayers will be led by Peggy McQuinty and a priest from South Sioux City, Neb.

"Next, the image will go to the Cathedral," said Stanek. "The image will be placed in the side altar area through the 5 o'clock Mass."

It will remain at the Cathedral following Mass for a Hispanic celebration and veneration of the image from 6 to 7 p.m. Father Paul Kelly will lead these activities that will include songs and the rosary. A Spanish-language Mass will follow.

Stanek mentioned that the popularity of Our Lady and her pro-life message continues to gain momentum.

Pope John Paul II declared Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the Star of Evangelization, Mother of the Americas and protectress of the unborn.

In 1999, Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo, the former bishop of Sioux City, declared Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the patroness of the diocese. This helped to raise even more awareness of Our Lady's story and the knowledge that she came to offer faith, hope and consolation to oppressed Indians of Mexico.