John Paul II – Ecclesia in America No. 11 (1999): Guadalupe and the incultured Mariology of the American Continent

## English Translation**Exhortation Apostolic Post-Synodal Ecclesia in America (January 22, 1999)** by Saint John Paul II, resulting from the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for America (1997), includes a magnificent mariological section on Our Lady of Guadalupe and her role in the evangelization of the American continent. Text found in Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 18 (1999), paragraphs 38-39+ (reference n. 11 regarding Mary).**Collection:** Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 18, paragraphs related to n. 11**Pope:** Saint John Paul II**Document:** Exhortation Apostolic Post-Synodal Ecclesia in America**Date:** January 22, 1999 (signed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico)**Original Language:** Spanish (John Paul II chose to publish in Spanish in reference to Guadalupe)—**Original Spanish Text:**> En todas las partes del Continente la presencia de la Madre de Dios ha sido muy intensa desde los dias de la primera evangelizacion, gracias a la labor de los misioneros. En su predicacion, «el Evangelio ha sido anunciado presentando a la Virgen Maria como su realizacion mas alta. Desde los origenes, en su advocacion de Guadalupe, Maria constituyo el gran signo, de rostro maternal y misericordioso, de la cercania del Padre y de Cristo, con quienes ella nos invita a entrar en comunion».> La aparicion de Maria al indio Juan Diego en la colina del Tepeyac, el ano 1531, tuvo una repercusion decisiva para la evangelizacion. Este influjo va mas alla de los confines de la nacion mexicana, alcanzando todo el Continente. Y América, que historicamente ha sido y es crisol de pueblos, ha reconocido en el rostro mestizo de la Virgen del Tepeyac, «en santa Maria de Guadalupe… un gran ejemplo de evangelizacion perfectamente inculturada».—**Portuguese Translation:**> Em todas as partes do Continente, a presença da Mãe de Deus tem sido muito intensa desde os dias da primeira evangelização, graças ao trabalho dos missionários. Em sua pregação, «o Evangelho foi anunciado apresentando a Virgem Maria como sua realização mais alta. Desde os primórdios, em sua invocação de Guadalupe, Maria constituiu o grande sinal, de rosto maternal e misericordioso, da proximidade do Pai e de Cristo, com quem ela nos convida a entrar em comunhão».> A aparição de Maria ao índio Juan Diego na colina do Tepeyac, no ano de 1531, teve uma repercussão decisiva para a evangelização. Este influxo vai além dos limites da nação mexicana, alcançando todo o Continente. E a América, que historicamente foi e é um caldeirão de povos, reconheceu no rosto mestiço da Virgem do Tepeyac, «em Santa Maria de Guadalupe… um grande exemplo de evangelização perfeitamente inculturada».—**Mary as the Way to Christ (citing the staff and Redemptoris Mater)****English Translation:**

Spanish: At the beginning of his public ministry, at the Wedding of Cana, when the Son of God performed his first sign, stirring up the faith of the disciples (Jn 2:11), it is Mary who intervenes and guides the servants to her Son with these words: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). On this point, I have written elsewhere: “The Mother of Christ presents herself before men as the spokesperson for the Son’s will, indicating those demands that must be fulfilled so that the Messias’ salvific power can manifest itself”. Therefore, Mary is a sure path to finding Christ.

Portuguese: At the beginning of his public ministry, at the Wedding of Cana, when the Son of God performed his first sign, stirring up the faith of the disciples (Jn 2:11), it is Mary who intervenes and guides the servants to her Son with these words: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). On this matter, I have written on another occasion: “The Mother of Christ presents herself before men as a spokesperson for the Son’s will, indicating those demands that must be fulfilled so that the Messias’ salvific power can manifest itself”. Hence, Mary is a sure way to find Christ.

## Historical-Pastoral MeaningThree central aspects of the mariology of *Ecclesia in America*:

1. Marian Inculturation: Guadalupe as a model for the inculturation of the Gospel. Mary takes on the mestizo face of the early American evangelizations.
2. Mary as Evangelizer: Mary is not only an object of evangelization but also a subject who evangelizes.
3. Continentality of Marian Grace: Guadalupe is a gift for the entire continent, not just Mexico.

## The Geographical Signature of the DocumentJohn Paul II chose to sign *Ecclesia in America* not in Rome but at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico during his second pastoral visit to the country (22-26 January 1999). This is the only magisterial papal document signed on Mexican soil. This geographical choice itself is a theological act: the document on the Church in America is “marian in origin”, with Guadalupe as its geographical signature.## Legacy of *Ecclesia in America*This apostolic exhortation is constantly cited:– In Puebla (2007), Mary as the continent’s hope – In Evangelii Gaudium (2013), mother of evangelization – In Pope Francis’s magisterium, frequent references to Guadalupe## Further Reading Puebla and Aparecida – Latin America | Marian Apparitions (Guadalupe) | Evangelii Gaudium | Redemptoris Mater

View the complete list of Marian apparitions recognized by the Church.