Homily for Memorial of St. Juan Diego

Homily for the Memorial of
St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
and Tuesday, Week 2 of Advent

Dec. 9, 2025
Matt 18: 12-14
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

OL of Guadalupe Shrine
St. John Bosco Church, Chicago

“It’s not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” (Matt 18: 14).

During his earthly life, our Lord Jesus showed constantly his love for the little ones.  He welcomed children, literally the little ones.  He was patient with the littleness of understanding in his disciples.  He treated society’s outcasts, metaphorical little ones, with dignity.

Today we celebrate the Lord’s ongoing care for society’s insignificant, little people.  We honor St. Juan Diego, who personified the oppressed and downtrodden of the world of the conquistadors.  He was graced with the vision “of the most holy Virgin Mary” (collect) thru whom God showed maternal care for the lowliest, most ordinary people of this world.

We find comfort in that, we lowly, ordinary people.  We’re on in years and aren’t in peak health and subsist on the kindness of benefactors.  The Virgin Mother cares for us as she did for the conquered people of Mexico; her care indicates her Son’s care.

Mary’s care gives us an example, too, that we must care for one another as well as for anyone who might be regarded as one of God’s little ones—for all the Juan Diegos we meet.