In preparation for the rescheduled visit of the Delegation from Canada comprised of Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth who will meet Pope Francis in Rome from March 28 to April 1, 2022, Archbishop Richard Gagnon invites all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Winnipeg to join him in praying a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe.  We will pray the nine-day Novena beginning the weekend of Sunday, March 20, 2022.  The text the Archbishop has provided is as follows:

O Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe, intercede for us with your Son
that we who live in this land, Indigenous and non-Indigenous together,
may experience healing and reconciliation,
on a renewed journey for justice and peace for our children.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.

Our Father…, Hail Mary… (x10), Glory Be…

Father of us all, we acknowledge the truth, and we seek to work for reconciliation
amongst the children of your family, between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
As Pope Francis continues to meet at the Vatican with the First Nations, the Métis, and the Inuit,
we ask you to help him to listen with all his heart.
Give the delegates wisdom as they advise the Pope and help him to discern a good response.
On our part, we commit ourselves to work for reconciliation not just in words but in action.
Help us live together in peace, justice, and mutual respect.
We thank You for all your many blessings.  Let a new joy leap into the hearts of all of us.  Amen.

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.