Dec. 12 marks the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Catholic Church. It dates to 1531 when Catholics believe the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to an Aztec peasant at a hill called Tepeyac in Mexico City. Here are activities to help parents teach children about this holiday and its part in Mexican heritage.
* Loyola Press tells the story of Juan Diego, who has a feast day on Dec. 9. Diego reported seeing a "lady clothed with the sun" near Mexico City. According to Catholic tradition, to prove her existence the lady caused her image to be emblazoned on Diego's cactus cloak. Loyola Press provides a printable image made from the icon that parents can have children color as they tell the story.
* Mary our Mother describes many occurrences that have been associated with the images. It provides detailed maps, a timeline, Biblical analysis, history and biographies. There is a cultural analysis of the relations of Spanish explorers and missionaries and native people in Mexico in the 16th century. Many of the terms are Aztec or Spanish and this site provides translation. Parents can use these to explain the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe for Catholics and Hispanics.
* Mother of All Peoples provides a scientific and artistic analysis. It details some of the image's more unusual features. Tradition in Action offers slide shows about the scientific aspects of the image. Parents can use this to help children understand the image from a technological viewpoint.
* Catholic Heritage Curricula has many free home-school activities. It offers a how-to-draw coloring page of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other resources.
* Catholic Mom offers a printable collection lessons, games, puzzles, coloring sheets and activities. There are several printable crafts.
* Sancta.org has printable prayers and holy cards. Sancta gives parents permission to print these images and use them for family devotions.
* Children's author and illustrator Tomie de Paola wrote "The Lady of Guadalupe." Parents can use this version to tell the story to younger children. The book contains many helpful and references and some activities too.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about parenting from 23 years raising four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and home-school.
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