tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13860237.post2215814823419913328..comments2009-12-11T10:57:20.731-07:00Arthur Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09480776782825839303noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13860237.post-11156761958089786052009-12-11T10:57:20.731-07:002009-12-11T10:57:20.731-07:00Father, I&#39;ve never been to the Shrine, never even seen a picture of it, but through your post I could imagine seeing the tilma...thank you for sharing that glorious memory, that part of your life story with us. If the past is any indication tomorrow&#39;s re-consecration will rush upon me, and again Her Mantle will cover me as before, the closeness of Her then is the only time I have really felt Her touch. But that&#39;s alright. It is all enough.KAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08248881807382198330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13860237.post-35496339823483811142009-12-08T18:52:55.723-07:002009-12-08T18:52:55.723-07:00Wow, beautiful!<br /><br />I remember my first visit to the shrine, knowing it was a holy place, entranced by the image on the tilma. I&#39;ve never been able to adequately explain it, but from the moment I walked into the shrine, well, She knew I was there. And her presence was with me throughout my stay there, and often ever since.<br /><br />Even when I&#39;ve tried to run away, she has followed after me, much like a mother chasing after a toddler! (Something I witnessed and was a part of this very night after Mass! lol)<br /><br />Also...in a discussion with a friend, he made me realize that I HAVE done the preparation for the Total Consecration, just perhaps not in a conventional way, but one designed by Our Mother herself.<br /><br />I fully believe that I am came back to the Church through her intercession, starting with a few feeble prayers I offered in the Basilica...for her intercession. I think it was something as simple as, &quot;Help me, Mother.&quot;<br /><br />And she has!<br /><br />OK, dang it, now I&#39;m getting all teary!<br /><br />I&#39;m looking through my course notes for the exact words she said to Juan Diego, and to all of us:<br /><br />&quot;Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my youngest son, that there is nothing for you to fear, nothing to afflict you. Let neither your face nor your heart be worried. Do not fear this nor any other illness, nor anything pounding nor afflicting. Am I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not in my shadow, under my protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the fold of my mantle, in my crossed arms? Is there anything else you need? Don&#39;t let anything afflict you, perturb you....&quot;Adorohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.com