Our Lady of Guadalupe

by Mirabai Starr (editor)

The great saints, mystics, and legends of the world's spiritual traditions exist as eternal inspirations to us in our own search for the divine. In our continuing book series, Sounds True offers these small, rich "gems of devotion" for readers seeking to build a personal connection to the greatest spiritual figures of history and lore. Combining the writings and poetry of the masters and their devotees with beautiful artwork and historical context, these gift-sized books invite readers into the presence of the beacons of human enlightenment, whose universal wisdom speaks to seekers everywhere across the boundaries of faith and culture. Our Lady of Guadalupe takes readers to a time when a modest Aztec peasant had a vision of a radiant woman "clothed in the sun". This divine visitor emerged as a union between Mary of Christianity and the mother goddess of the native people. As her legend swept across the crumbling Aztec empire, she inspired millions of followers to peacefully embrace a changing world. Today, the beloved Lady of Guadalupe still acts as a benevolent, merciful force to overcome strife and violence. For those times when we are called to engage in compassionate yet decisive action, it is the force of the divine feminine embodied by Our Lady of Guadalupe that can guide our path.

121 pages, Hardcover

First published February 29, 2008

About the author

Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author, internationally acclaimed speaker, and interspiritual teacher. In 2020, she was honored on Watkins’ list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People. Drawing from 20 years of teaching Philosophy and World Religions and a lifetime of practice, Mirabai shares her wisdom worldwide on contemplative living, writing as a spiritual practice, and the transformational power of grief and loss. She has authored over a dozen books including Wild Mercy, Caravan of No Despair, and renowned translations of sacred literature. Her most recent book, Ordinary Mysticism, has been praised by Anne Lamott as “a gorgeous, transformative, welcoming book is for anyone who longs to feel more present, more alive, more joyful and aware of the holiness of daily life”. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico. For more, visit www.mirabaistarr.com.

Reviews

[Joy Matteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading her incredible book "Wild Mercy", I've been slowly going through Mirabai Starr's other works, which have been a true reading pleasure.
As a born and bred white Protestant, images of Our Lady of Guadalupe were foreign and strange to me--more indicative of Mexican culture than religious devotion that I was familiar with, and frankly made me feel uncomfortable. If only I knew what a gift She was and is to the Americas. She is the Mother with dark skin, who understands the suffering of the oppressed. This is the perfect little devotional that introduces Our Lady of Guadalupe as the maiden of God who appeared to a poor farmer in Mexico, just after the Spanish conquered Mexico. As Starr reports, Our Lady of Guadalupe seems to appear when there are crises for the Americas--so much more now with the crises at our Southern borders. This beautiful book of poetry, prayers, and wisdom is highly recommended, even to crusty white Protestants.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short collection of prayers, poems, songs and reflections on Our Lady of Guadalupe in context of her ethnic, historic and political importance and meaning.

[Isabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

not bad just not what I needed