POPE JOHN PAUL II AND THE STORY OF

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE EMPRESS OF THE AMERICAS

      The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas, by C. Lourdes Walsh, was inspired by Pope John Paul II when he visited Mexico City on January 22, 1999, and consecrated all of the Americas to Our Lady of Guadalupe and raised her feast day, December 12, to a solemnity to be kept throughout all of the Americas. After 20 years of research on the story, the author began the final writing of the book on January 31, 1999. The Holy Father received the first copy of this book, published in Spanish, in October, 2003, for the occasion of his 25th Anniversary as Supreme Pontiff.   

      This exquisitely beautiful book contains all 18 pictures from the “Nican Mopohua,” painted in 1981 by the great master artist (“El Maestro”), Jorge Sánchez-Hernández, to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The original breath-taking paintings were on display for 8 days at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Included in the book is a picture of the face of Our Lady of Guadalupe, photographed directly from the tilma in Mexico City after the explosion of 1921, which shattered the the protective glass covering. The story closes with a mention of the canonization of Juan Diego by Pope John Paul II on July 31, 2002.

      The "Afterword" sets the apparitions in their historical context. Written for children of all ages–adults love it, too. Available in both Spanish and English. A must for your home library. Makes a great gift, too, for lovers of sacred art!