As all along the history of our faith in America, Mary accompanies us in this Congress.

She, who makes the first apostolic journey of the New Testament, is the first missionary.

She carries the living Christ in her and tells that to Elizabeth, her cousin (Luke 1:39-55). She is the figure of the Church that, filled with Christ, must take Him to the others. Mary teaches us how to give Christ. Thus, Mary is the model of the missionary.

Eleven years after the arrival of Hernán Cortés in Mexico, the most important religious event of America takes place: the appearance of the Virgin to an Indian.

From that encounter, which occurred only forty years after the discovery of America, the natives in Mexico begin to approach the Church, and this will have an influence all over the Continent.

Even by the way this encounter between the Virgin and the Indian develops, it could be said that this is the Marian event that surpasses all the other episodes that sustain the rest of the Marian devotions in the Continent.

Mary comes with the missionaries, but she lives in the heart of the Blessed Juan Diego. Thus, with Mary of Guadalupe, the New America is born.

Mary of Guadalupe teaches us the evangelization must be made "from within", from the cultural values and evangelical traces we find in the soul of our people, among which love and devotion to the Virgin Mother of God excel.

Because of this we look at Her, we place ourselves under Her protection and ask Her to stay with us.

She is the Queen of the Missions, and because of this, we consecrate ourselves to Her.

Mary of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of the Americas, pray for us!

Our Lady of the Rosary, Patron Saint of Paraná.