Today is also the Optional Memoria of St Juan Diego of Mexico, to whom was granted a vision of Our Lady, who asked that a chapel be built in the same place that she was appearing to him at that moment. When the local Bishop asked for a sign that it was truly Our Lady, an image of her miraculously appeared on Juan Diego’s mantle.

The image below, which is in the public domain, shows the upper part of the image that was imprinted on St Juan Diego’s mantle. Our Lady is at prayer, as shown by her folded hands.

May she gather each one of us to herself in prayer this day, and may God be specially close to you.