Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patroness of the Americas. In preparation for her feast day, many participate in praying a Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe beginning on December 3rd. 
 

Perfect, ever holy Virgin Mary,
Mother of the True God for whom we live,
You, who are truly our compassionate Mother,
we seek you, we beseech you.
Mercifully heed our cries and our sufferings.
Heal our sorrows, our afflictions, and our pain.

Gentle and loving Mother,
shelter us in the hollow of your mantle, in the fold of your arms.
Let nothing distress nor disturb our hearts.

Reveal to us your beloved Son,
so that with Him and in Him,
we may find our salvation and the salvation of the world.

Most holy Virgin Mary of Guadalupe,
make us your messengers,
messengers of the Word and of the will of God. Amen.

– Prayer as found in front of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York


NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council, founded by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) in 1998, proposed that the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) be a National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. All are invited to join their Indigenous sisters and brothers in a special way this day through prayer and acts of solidarity.