The Christian Hemisphere

	by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

Our Lady of Guadalupe’s patronage of churches and families throughout the hemisphere goes back 475 years, yet her message today is as timely as it was in 1531. Although during these five centuries she has come to symbolize many things as Pope John Paul II noted in Ecclesia in America, hers is ultimately a message of unity, for she is a spiritual mother we all share.

In Ecclesia in America Pope John Paul II noted that “The appearance of Mary to the native Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac in 1531 had a decisive effect on evangelization. Its influence greatly overflows the boundaries of Mexico, spreading to the whole Continent. America, which historically has been, and still is, a melting-pot of peoples, has recognized in the mestiza face of the Virgin of Tepeyac, ‘in Blessed Mary of Guadalupe, an impressive example of a perfectly inculturated evangelization.’ Consequently, not only in Central and South America, but in North America as well, the Virgin of Guadalupe is venerated as Queen of all America.”

He also wrote, “the renewal of the Church in America will not be possible without the active presence of the laity. Therefore, they are largely responsible for the future of the Church.”

The question is what can Catholics, all the baptized – lay and clergy alike – do to advance the promise of Ecclesia in America–a promise based upon the reality that our unity in the sacramental life of the Church transcends every border.

All of us in the Americas can claim Our Lady Guadalupe as our mother. More of us in this hemisphere, than anywhere else on earth, can claim a common bond of faith.

Seeking to further forge that bond of spiritual unity, and united under the mantle and message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Knights of Columbus has been active in the United States since 1882, in Canada since 1897, in Mexico since 1905, in Cuba and Panama since 1909, in Puerto Rico since 1911, in Guatemala since 1967 and in the Dominican Republic since 1979.

The Knights are just one example of cooperation between Catholics throughout the hemisphere that has continued for more than a century. That cooperation has taken many different forms and increasing such cooperation is a high priority of the Knights of Columbus and it should be as well for other Catholic organizations in the United States.

We invite you to join the largest lay Catholic organization in the world in offering to families the opportunity to live their vocation to holiness. We are committed to spread Our Lady’s message which guides us always closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.