For years, Cardinal Raymond Burke has spread devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and her mission, especially through a shrine dedicated to her in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Now, the cardinal is inviting the faithful to become a part of these efforts by joining a group called Our Lady’s Messengers.
This year, Cardinal Burke is celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, known as a Golden Jubilee Year. On this occasion, Cardinal Burke extends the invitation to join “[t]his courageous group of individuals,” the Messenger webpage states, who walk “alongside Cardinal Burke in carrying forward Our Lady’s mission at her Shrine.”
“By the grace of God, and through the generous collaboration of faithful Catholics such as yourself, the Shrine has borne fruit beyond all expectation, becoming — I am convinced — an instrument most dear to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” Cardinal Burke said in a video about the invitation.
He explained that during his time as bishop of La Crosse (1995-2004), he “experience[d] a a profound call to cooperate with our Lord and His Virgin Mother in restoring the devotional life of the family through the dedication of a shrine in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
The now-cardinal announced the project in 1999. The shrine’s construction took several years and it was dedicated in 2008. Since then, it has been a place of spiritual refreshment and pilgrimage for thousands of faithful who travel from around the world “to encounter our Lord in prayer and in the sacraments, beneath the loving gaze of His Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe,” Cardinal Burke said.
In 2024, Cardinal Burke promoted devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe through a nine-month novena praying for the renewal of America, which culminated in a consecration to her on her Dec. 12 feast day.
The cardinal said in the video that “the hunger for a deep and authentic devotional life is no less strong today than it was at the time of the Shrine’s founding.”
He explained that “Our Lady’s Messengers” is a group of monthly benefactors dedicated to supporting this spiritual work through prayer and financial support.
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to you for uniting your prayers and sacrifices to mine in this sacred mission,” he said.
In joining the group, he concluded, members go forward together “after the example of Saint Juan Diego, fulfilling Our Lady’s desire to lead souls to know and to love more ardently her Divine Son.”