by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — When most Catholics think of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the image that miraculously appeared on St. Juan Diego’s tilma comes to mind.
“You see the image, you know the story — it’s a beautiful story,” said Father Nick Blaha. “But most of the people that converted to Catholicism and got baptized [during that time] never saw the tilma.
“They converted and were baptized because they heard the message that Our Lady delivered through Juan Diego.”
Since he’s been pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Christ the King parishes in Kansas City, Kansas, Father Blaha has learned more about the devotions that his parishioners, many of whom are Hispanic, cherish.
What he’s discovered about the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is that it’s much more dramatic than he’d previously realized.
This December, Catholics in the archdiocese will have the opportunity to learn more about the appearance that converted millions of indigenous people to the Catholic faith some 500 years ago.
Joseph and Monique González, authors of “Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy: How God Prepared the Americas for Conversion Before the Lady Appeared,” will speak on the topic at five locations (see below).
“This is a part of our common history as people who live in the ‘New World,’” said Father Blaha. “The fact that we are Catholic in the Americas — this is part of the story of how we got here.”
“This wasn’t just something for people of Hispanic descent,” he added. “Our Lady of Guadalupe is the mother of the Americas, and that’s us — all of us.”
‘God’s providence prepares a people’
The Gonzálezes were inspired to research Our Lady of Guadalupe after a period when they’d lost their faith, said Father Blaha, because people had convinced them the story was a myth.
“Many years later, they came back to their faith on different grounds,” he continued. “They became convicted Catholics, but then, they still had that question.”
The couple spent a decade researching the history of the appearance and its impact, the depth and details of which continue to be unearthed.
“They came to the sincere conviction, based on the evidence and the historical record, that there’s no way this could’ve been made up,” said Father Blaha.
Our Lady’s message was successful, he said, because it fulfilled the indigenous people’s longing for heaven by connecting them to Jesus, who is “the source of access to paradise.”
Her appearance transformed the culture of death into a culture of life, added Father Blaha, which is relevant even now.
Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, is excited to bring this talk to Donnelly, where Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the college’s patrons.
“She is very dear to many of the students and staff at Donnelly,” he said, “and her image is featured in the stained glass of our new chapel.”
Msgr. Swetland described the Gonzálezes’ book as “a wonderful story of how grace builds on nature and how God’s providence prepares a people (and all of us) to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, which has a “twinning” relationship with Blessed Sacrament and Christ the King, will also host one of the talks.
“Our Lady is amazing,” said pastor Father Greg Hammes. “She caused one of the greatest occasions of conversion in world history through her appearance to St. Juan Diego, and it happened in the New World and not all that far from the United States.
“We need conversion today, and Our Mother has to be a huge part of that. I think there is so much we can learn.”
‘Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy’
Authors Joseph and Monique González will speak about the groundbreaking discoveries surrounding the culture and history of the indigenous people of the Americas that prepared them for the largest conversion event in history.
Their talk will begin at 7 p.m. at the first four locations and 1:30 p.m. at the cathedral. (The talk is the same at each location.) Refreshments will follow, and signed books will be available for purchase. Register online at: ctkkcks.org/prophecy.
Dec. 9
Donnelly College
618 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Dec. 10 (Spanish)
Blessed Sacrament Parish
2203 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kansas
Dec. 11
Prince of Peace Parish
16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe
Dec. 12
Chesterton Academy
500 W. 40th St., Kansas City, Missouri
Dec. 15 (Spanish)
Cathedral of St. Peter
409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Join Father Blaha on a pilgrimage to Mexico
Father Nick Blaha was connected with Joseph and Monique González through Dr. Ezekiel Stear, who completed his doctoral work in Spanish at the University of Kansas.
The pair led a bilingual trip to Mexico in May and are planning an English- speaking one this coming June.
The trip will begin in Teotihuacan, include visits to Puebla and Cholula and end at the site of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
A Spanish-speaking trip is being tentatively planned for 2026.
Father Blaha encourages those who are interested in learning more to email him at: revnb@pm.me.
