Why Mary of Nazareth Still Terrifies Despots

Our Lady of Guadalupe reveals the Mary who crushes serpents, topples empires, and remakes Advent.

Dear friends —

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Thank you for being part of Letters from Leo. Your presence here — whether you’re Catholic or not, a believer or just curious — sustains one of the most important conversations in public life today.

This Advent, all paid subscribers are receiving the Letters from Leo Advent Reflection Series: a daily companion to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas — and to reckon with what his arrival demands of us, personally and publicly, in a moment of deep moral and political crisis.

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“Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Matthew 11:15)

Today’s Readings

Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Under that title, Mary is honored as the Patroness of the Americas.

With two major Marian feasts this week — the Immaculate Conception on Monday and Guadalupe today — the Church is sending us an important Advent memo: if you want to know Jesus — the Jesus who comes at Christmas — know his mother.

Traditional piety puts it simply: to Jesus through Mary.

But let’s be clear. Mary of Nazareth is not the shrinking violet of sentimental Nativity scenes.

Here’s the truth about history’s most radical woman — and why her “yes” still threatens every empire built on fear.