Dear brothers and sisters,

In the reading from the Book of Sirach, a poetic description of Wisdom is presented to us, an image that finds its full identity in Christ, “wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), who, when the fullness of time had come, became flesh, being born of a woman (cf. Gal 4:4). Christian tradition has also interpreted this passage from a Marian perspective, since it brings to mind the woman prepared by God to receive Christ. Indeed, who but Mary can say, “In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue” (Sir 24:25)? For this reason, Christian tradition does not hesitate to recognize her as “the mother of fair love” (ibid. v. 24).

In the Gospel, we listen to how Mary lives the dynamic proper to those who let the Word of God enter their lives and transform them. Like a burning fire that cannot be contained, the Word impels us to communicate the joy of the gift received (cf. Jer 20:9; Lk 24:32). Joyful at the angel’s announcement, she understands that the joy of God is fulfilled in charity, and so she hastens towards Elizabeth’s house.

Truly, the words of the One who is full of grace are “sweet above honey” (Sir 24:27). Her greeting is enough to make the child leap in the womb of Elizabeth who, filled with the Holy Spirit, asks: “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43). That jubilation flows into the Magnificat, where Mary recognizes that her joy comes from the faithful God, who looked upon his people and blessed them (cf. Ps 66:2), with a legacy sweeter than the honey in the honeycomb (cf. Sir 24:27): the very presence of her Son.

Throughout her life, Mary brings this joy where human joy is not enough, where the wine has run out (cf. Jn 2:3). This is what happens in Guadalupe. On Tepeyac, she awakens in the inhabitants of America the joy of knowing that they are loved by God. In the apparitions of 1531, speaking to Saint Juan Diego in his native language, she declares that she “ardently desires” that a “small sacred house” be built from which she will exalt God and manifest him (cf. Nican mopohua, 26-27). Amidst the ongoing conflicts, injustices, and sufferings that seek relief, Mary of Guadalupe proclaims the core of her message: “Am I not here, who am your mother?” (Ibid., 119). It is the voice that echoes the promise of divine fidelity, the presence that sustains when life becomes unbearable.

The motherhood she proclaims makes us discover we are her children. Those who hear “I am your mother” remember that, from the cross, “Behold, your Mother” corresponds to “Behold, your Son” (cf. Jn 19:26-27). And, like children, we turn to her, asking: “Mother, what must we do to be the sons and daughters your heart desires?”. She, faithful to her mission, will say to us tenderly: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). Yes, Mother, we want to be your authentic children; tell us how to proceed in faith when our strength fails and shadows loom. Help us to understand that with you even winter becomes a time of roses.

And as your child, I ask you: Mother, teach the nations that wish to be your children not to divide the world into irreconcilable factions, not to allow hatred to mark their history, nor lies to write their memory. Show them that authority must be exercised as service and not as domination. Teach their leaders their duty to protect the dignity of every person at every stage of life. Make those peoples, your children, places where every person can feel welcome.

Mother, accompany the youngest, so that they may obtain from Christ the strength to choose good and the courage to remain steadfast in faith, even if the world should push them in another direction. Show them that your Son walks by their side. May nothing afflict their hearts, so that they may welcome God’s plans without fear. Keep them from the threats of crime, addiction and the danger of a life without meaning.

Seek out, Mother, those who have strayed from the holy Church: may your gaze reach them where ours cannot, break down the walls that separate us, and bring them home with the power of your love. Mother, I beg you to incline the hearts of those who sow discord toward the desire of your Son that “they may all be one” (Jn 17:21) and restore them to the charity that makes communion possible, for within the Church, Mother, we your children cannot be divided.

Strengthen families: following your example, may parents educate with tenderness and firmness, so that every home may be a school of faith. Inspire, Mother, those who form minds and hearts, so that they may transmit the truth with that gentleness, precision, and clarity that come from the Gospel. Encourage those whom your Son has called to follow him more closely: support the clergy and consecrated life in their daily fidelity and renew their first love. Guard their interior life in prayer, protect them in temptation, encourage them in weariness, and help those who are discouraged.

Holy Virgin, like you, may we keep the Gospel in our hearts (cf. Lk 2:51). Help us to understand that, although we are the recipients, we are not the masters of this message, but that, like Saint Juan Diego, we are its simple servants. May we live with the conviction that, wherever the Good News arrives, everything becomes beautiful, everything recovers its health, everything is renewed. “They that work by you, shall not sin” (cf Sir 24:30); assist us so that we do not obscure with our sin and our misery the holiness of the Church, who, like you, is a mother.

Mother “of the true God for whom we live”, come to the aid of the Successor of Peter, so that he may confirm in the one way that leads to the blessed Fruit of your womb those who have been entrusted to me. Remember this son of yours, “to whom Christ has entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven for the good of all”, that these keys may serve “to bind and to loosen, for the redemption of all human misery” (Saint John Paul II, Homily in Syracuse, 6 November 1994). And grant that, trusting in your protection, we may proceed each day more united, with Jesus and among ourselves, toward the eternal dwelling place that He has prepared for us and in which you await us. Amen.

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 12 December 2025