How to Host a Visitation with the Missionary Image

Below are some quick overview bullets on how to host a Visitation with more detailed information in the links below them. Please read the bullets and then the text below all of the bullets.

1.  Familiarize yourself with the stories of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Her Missionary Image and Visitations found here:
   • The Miraculous Image
   • The Missionary Image
   • Visitations of the Missionary Image
   • Visitation Photos and Videos
2. Submit your Visitation Request Form and a Certificate of Parish Membership on a form that we will provide you.
3. Form a Team and plan your Visitation events
4. Learn how to receive and ship the Missionary Image and familiarize yourself with the learning materials that we will send you.

The Missionary Images of Our Lady of Guadalupe are the only four images in the world commissioned by the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City to journey as Missionary Images on a Mission in the New Evangelization to bring conversions and a Culture of Life and Civilization of Love, for which St. John Paul II prayed.

So, these images are rare, special and extraordinary! Because of her special commissioning they have traveled the world bringing many signs, wonders, conversions, healings and graces. The images have manifested signs such as detections of a heartbeat of an unborn baby in her womb, confirmed by doctors and nurses with stethoscopes, and the shedding of tears of oil and holy glitter. God manifests these signs at his pleasure and delights to give them to help to strengthen our faith and our confidence in the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Please read the article What’s So Special About the Missionary Image?

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico as the pregnant Mother of God to Saint Juan Diego, a Chichimeca Indian, on December 12, 1531. She left a miraculous image of her appearance on his tilma (a cloak), which still exists today for all to see in the Basilica Shrine in Mexico City. The Missionary Images measure 4’ x 6’ and are exact size and color replicas of the original miraculous image.

The images fold in half and travel in a Case. (See the photos below). They are shipped from one Guardian to another by Federal Express. During a Visitation, the image may be folded in half and placed in its protective blanket for travel in an automobile.

The Visitation sites are preferably churches but, if no churches are available, auditoriums, gymnasiums, hotel conference rooms, private homes or prayer group sites can be used. Private homes are used as a major site for the Missionary Image only as a last resort. The object is to touch as many people as possible with the Mission.

St. John Paul II asked Our Lady of Guadalupe “to ‘visit’ as a ‘pilgrim of faith’ each and every diocese, parish and family in America.” In response to this, the Missionary Images have journeyed on Visitations throughout the world and to each state of the United States to over 1000 parishes. They have received the veneration of hundreds of thousands.

The images visit churches and wherever else Our Lady’s motherly love is needed. The images bring works of mercy to convents, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and abortion centers. Because of the presence of the image, many abortions have been prevented and over twenty abortion centers have closed through Our Lady’s intercession.

Our apostolate coordinates Visitations of the images and trains Guardian Teams to prepare and for the Visitations in cooperation with their local pastors. The Team plans and implements the Visitation. The Guardian Team is formed by the Guardian of the image who chooses the Guardians of liturgies, publicity, finances and merchandise. It takes about 3 to 4 months for a Team to plan a Visitation.

The Mission is supported by donations, free-will offerings and sales of religious goods. Free resources from the Visitation area are used as much as possible for publicity such as parish bulletin ads, reproductions of flyers and mailings and newspaper religion columns.

The Visitations include Holy Hours of Prayer for Life, Peace and Protection from a booklet with the recitation of the Rosary and veneration of the Image. There is a talk explaining the Image and the messages of Our Lady. Religious goods are available for sale to promote the devotion.