Franciscans have always been at the heart of the beauty of Our Lady of Guadalupe devotion. Franciscan Bishop Zumárraga was first to see Juan Diego’s gift from Mary, the Mother of God. It is no coincidence then, that Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Concepcion Medina is proud of her home parish Our Lady of Guadalupe, Midland, Texas. As we near the feast, we take time to share a bit more about this special place that includes a prayerful shrine dedicated to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Pictured here is the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. In 1960 the construction of this building began and was completed through the collaboration of the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parishioners of two former smaller churches. Missionary Oblate in Midland, Texas, Father William Meager decided that the name of this Church would be Our Lady of Guadalupe since the people already has a sincere devotion to her. The dedication of the church took place on November 29, 1960 and was blessed by Most Reverend John L. Morkovsky, OMI, Bishop of Amarillo.
On April 19, 1991 Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI Bishop of San Angelo and Rev Domino Estrada, OMI, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish announced that the approval had been given for the construction of a shrine in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the parish grounds of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Midland, Texas. “This shrine was to take its place among the many other Marian shrines in the world to which God’s people travel to lay at Mary’s feet their pain, anxiety, grief and disappointment and to seek Mary’s refuge, intercession and motherly protection. It was with sincere hope that this new shrine will be a way of bringing all, but especially young people, into a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hopefully, too, this shrine will be a center of prayer for man more priestly and religious vocations for the Church, and especially for the Diocese of San Angelo.” (History of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Children of Mary’s Mantle Ministry)
The Shrine was dedicated on June 8, 1993. A bronze state of Our Lady of Guadalupe was commissioned to be placed in the Shrine. On June 8, 1993, the bronze statue was unveiled and dedicated within the Shrine. It eventually was painted to reflect the vibrant colors of our Blessed Mother and the culture of the Mexicanos. Today the pastor is diocesan priest Father David Herrera.
To make the image of Our Lady of Guadlupe more accessible to Catholics around the world, Church authorities have sanctioned digital reproduction of a limited number of images of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be distributed to a number of countries. Each of these same size reproductions have touched the original image housed in Mexico City. Midland’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Shrine serves as the permanent home for one of these images, the first in the United States.
On the Parish’s 25th anniversary yet one more beautiful image of Our Lady was added to the church. Cavallini Co. San Antonio Texas created the window appearing high in the back of the church.
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