A “River of Light” in New York

 

To the right of the main altar in St Patrick’s Cathedral, in a privileged place, for several years there has been a painting of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on display, for the veneration of the devotees.

How the painting got there, who the protagonists of this feat were, and what events happened until the image of the Lady of Tepeyac reached the special place of veneration that it has today in New York is a story that deserves to be told and recorded in writing. It is my purpose, in these lines, to tell that story.

The painting is authored by an anonymous artist from the 18th Century. It is believed that he was a disciple of the great Mexican artist and teacher, Miguel Cabrera. It is a gift from the Archdiocese of Mexico to the Cathedral Seat of Catholics in New York City, obtained from the Enrique Romero Art Gallery in Mexico City, and brought here personally by the then Archbishop and Primate of Mexico, the most Eminent Cardinal Ernesto Corripio.

On the 8th of December of 1991, in the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, is the Marian date in which Cardinal Corripio presented to his brother, the then Cardinal of New York John O’Connor, in solemn liturgical celebration, the painting in mention of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Present at that liturgical act were the Consul General of Mexico, Mr. Manuel Alonso, and Mrs. Rosa María Quijano, who was the protagonist, driving force, and main donor that made this celebrated event possible.

The original painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe, printed in the tilma of the Indian Saint Juan Diego in an appearance occurred on the 12th of December of 1531, is permanently displayed in the new Basilica built in its honor and for its veneration in Mexico City.

The word “Guadalupe” means “river of light”. Today we can say that there are rivers of faithful devotees who come daily to honor the Mother of God and our Mother under the invocation of the Virgen Morena (the dark Virgin,) Mexican, Latin-American, American and Amerindian, in the beautiful colonial painting in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. For the visit of Pope John Paul II to New York, the aforementioned painting of the Guadalupana was transferred and hung over the main altar to preside over the visit of the Holy Father to the Cathedral, and for the praying of the Holy Rosary, which was guided by the universal Shepherd before the revered image.

But the prominent location that the painting has today -in the Cathedral context- is the place that was the tabernacle of the Cathedral, to the right of the main altar. It also has its story interwoven with signs, with wonders, in which it seems that -after a series of difficulties around the display of the painting in the Cathedral, given the inconsistency between the painting and the marble and stone that prevail in the construction of Saint Patrick’s- the Virgin herself found a prominent place where to be venerated and from where to accompany the lives of her children.

Mrs. Margarita Perusquia is the front-page protagonist in this story. As founder of the organization “Mensajeros de María de Guadalupe” she has dedicated herself with her institution to spread in New York and throughout the Americas the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Marian devotion that embodies what is Latin-American and that brings together the most valuable of our origins, our story, our faith, and our culture.

It was the request from Margarita Perusquia to the then Archbishop of New York, Terence Cardinal Cook, to allow her to erect an altar in the Cathedral where to venerate the Guadalupana, which originated this story that today inspires and attracts so many devotees, not only in New York, but also in the whole continent and beyond the seas.

The same request, with the best example of patience and Christian devotion, was made by Margarita on several occasions to Cardinals Cook and O’Connor. They, at the moment, sent her to speak with the successive rectors of the Cathedral, who, in turn, denied her request, as I previously stated, given the painting’s inconsistency with the materials, architecture, and art of the Cathedral church.

It was, as it was said, on the 8th of December of 1991, when the Mexican Cardinal Ernesto Corripio, celebrating the solemn Eucharist in the Cathedral, presented and donated the painting to Cardinal John O’Connor, who excitedly asked the crowd: “Where would you like this painting to be displayed: in his house, office or Cathedral?” The faithful people responded aloud: “Here, in the Cathedral.”

For a year and a half, the painting of Guadalupe wandered through inadequate corners of the Cathedral, but -soon- the regular crowd of pilgrims, the offerings, the candles, and the flowers pressured the authorities to find a better and more appropriate place for the veneration of the image of the Virgen Morena.

May these lines serve to leave a written record of this story, to praise and thank those who made this religious feat possible, and to congratulate all my Catholic Mexican and Latin-American brothers, who on the 12th of December joyfully celebrate the solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron Saint of Mexico and Primate of America.

A “River of Light” in New York

To the right of the Main Altar in St. Patrick’s Cathedral –that is, in a privileged place— during the last 18 years and for the veneration of believers, is placed a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

How did the image make it there? Who was the main person responsible for this incredible act? What happened so that the image of Our Lady of Tepeyac would reach a place of veneration today in New York City is a story that should be told and written. I intend, through these lines, to make known the incredible story that established this landmark.

The painting was done by an unknown artist in the XVIII Century. It is believed that it was the work of a successful painter, student of the great Mexican painter Miguel Cabrera. It is a present from the Archdiocese of Mexico to Catholics of the metropolitan Cathedral in New York. It was acquired in the Art Gallery of Enrique Romero in Mexico City and brought to New York, personally, by the then Archbishop of Mexico His Eminence Ernesto Cardinal Corripio Ahumada.

On the 8th of December of 1991, in the solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception, Cardinal Corripio presented to his brother, the then Cardinal of New York, Archbishop John Cardinal O’Connor, during the solemn liturgical celebration, the painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
During that liturgical act were present the Consul General of Mexico, Mr. Manuel Alonzo and Mrs. Rosa María Quijano, protagonist and principal donor so that this historical event would take place.

The miraculous impression of Our Lady of Guadalupe, among roses, on the poncho of the Indian San Juan Diego, in the apparition of December 12, 1531, is permanently on display in the new Basilica, built in her honor and for her veneration in Mexico City.

The word “Guadalupe” means “river of light.” Today we can say that there is a constant “river of believers” who go daily to honor Our Mother and Mother of God, under the invocation of the Mexican, Latin-American, American, and Amerindian “Virgen Morena,” in the beautiful painting now in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. For the visit of his Holiness Pope John Paul II to New York, the painting of the Guadalupana was moved to the main altar to preside over the visit of His Holiness to the Cathedral, and for the prayer of the Holy Rosary directed by the Universal Pastor before the venerated image.

It is worth stating that the prominent placement that the painting has today, within the context of the Cathedral, in the place where the Tabernacle of the Cathedral was, to the right of the main altar, has its own history. All of it is intertwined with signs and miracles, which point to the fact that after a series of difficulties encountered in the placement of the painting --due to the construction and style of the Cathedral--, the Virgin has found a prominent place where to be revered and where she can accompany the life of its children.

Mrs. Margarita Perusquia has a primary placement in this story. As a founder of the organization “Mensajeros de María de Guadalupe” (Messengers of Maria Guadalupe), she has dedicated herself and the Institution to spread in New York and throughout the world the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This Marian devotion embodies the Latin-American spirit and puts together, in the best symbiosis, the most valuable of our origins, our history, our faith and our culture.

The request of Margarita Perusquia to the then Archbishop of New York: Terence Cardinal Cook was to allow her to build an altar in the Cathedral for the veneration of the “Guadalupana.” This act began this story which today inspires and brings so many devotees, not only from New York, but from the whole continent and across the seas.

The same request, with the best show of Christian patience and perseverance, was made by Margarita several times to Cardinal Cook and Cardinal O’Connor. Each, in their moment, referred her to the Cathedral’s rector, who –in turn—denied the request, usually for the reasons mentioned previously: the lack of consonance between the style of the painting, the construction and architectural style, and the art within the Cathedral.

As it was stated on the 8th of December, 1991, the Cardinal of Mexico: Ernesto Cardinal Corripio Ahumada, while celebrating the Eucharist in the Cathedral gave the painting of the Virgin to John Cardinal O’Connor, who –full of emotion— asks the multitudes where they would want the painting: his house, his office or in the Cathedral. To that the crowd of believers answered, at one voice: “Here, in the Cathedral.”

For one-and-a-half years the painting of the Guadalupe was stored in inadequate corners of the Cathedral. But soon, the daily crowd of pilgrims, the offerings, the candles, and flowers pressured the authorities in the Cathedral to find a better and more adequate place for the veneration of the image of the “Virgen Morena.” May these lines become written evidence of that story; and may they help to honor and give thanks to those who made this religious gesture possible. I would like to congratulate all my Mexican and Latin-American brothers and sisters on this day, in which Catholics happily celebrate the solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico and Mother of the Americas.