The story of the apparition and miracles of the "Virgin of Guadalupe" is held dear by Roman Catholics, especially those from Latin America. Although this story is not part of our Orthodox Christian history and, therefore, cannot as a community say for certain that this story is genuine, it nevertheless shares much in common with apparitions of the Theotokos among Orthodox Christians. Although the Roman Catholic Pontiff separated himself and his people from the Orthodox Churches, we cannot say that the Holy Spirit is not at work among Roman Catholics. American Orthodox Christians would do well to familiarize themselves with the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe and its claims to authenticity. Surely, the conversions from paganism to Roman Catholicism have brought many closer to the Orthodox Church. Only God can see the future and the big picture of how such an event as the alleged apparition to Juan Diego may lead people toward Orthodox faith or away from it. The story in and of itself, however, contains nothing contrary to the Holy Orthodox Faith. ( )

Vibrant, warm and nicely told. ( )