b'miraculous tilma. I have a very vividmemory of being there. I knew it was a miracle in front of me. It was herpresence, Jos says.Now, as a young man, Jos viewsOur Lady as a friend and counselor.As I venture out into the world, I realizeI have so much to learn. But I knowOur Lady loves allLa Virgen can be a connection to Jesus, of us. Her love tran-and she can help me understand what scends borders.it means to be a man of faith, Jos says. Mara Gonzlez says that as a youngMara Gonzlezadult, she struggled with an identitycrisis. She treasured her faith but wasdeeply troubled by the means throughwhich Catholicism was brought to theAmericas by brutal Spanish conquerors.A trip to the shrine on Tepeyac Mountain,where Juan Diego encountered La Virgen,gave her peace.Jos Tapia, a recent graduate of St. Marys University in San Antonio, I look like the native people; I look Aztec, sayssays that La Virgen can be a connection to Jesus, and helps him Mara. It became clear to me: The important thing understand what it means to be a man of faith. is that Our Lady came to her children. She came toQuertaro. He learned quickly that in Mexico the people who look like me. So it doesnt matter whatFeast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a busy day for a you look like. Our Lady loves all of us. Her loveCatholic priest, with Masses, prayer services and transcends borders.daylong celebrations that include parades and fireworks. Mara Gonzlez, a recentgraduate of St. Marys UniversityIt was like being in Times Square on New Years Eve, Carol Dexter is a freelance writer from Columbia, Illinois. in San Antoniohe laughs.After serving two years in Mexico, Father John returned to the United States to minister at HolyRosary Parish, a largely Mexican-American parish in San Antonio. He brought with him a greater appreciation for this beautiful mother whom theMexicans hold so dear.As Marianists, we embrace Mary in all her forms,Father John says. That she appeared to Juan Diego asan indigenous woman speaks to our Marianist beliefin inclusivity, he says. That she chose Juan Diego someone with no social stature whatsoeverreminds us that, as long as were faithful, we havean important role to play.The young peopleTwenty-somethings Jos Tapia and Mara Gonzlezare both Mexican-American, and both are recentgraduates of St. Marys University. Jos was raised in a devout family, and his parentstook him to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupewhen he was a young child. He says he remembersholding his parents hands and looking up at themarianist.com/donate 7'