Tepeyac Leadership recently hosted its annual The Hour of the Laity conference at the iconic Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Among the attendees was Andres Martin, a Tepeyac Leader from the Class of 2018, who participated in the pilgrimage for the first time alongside his wife, Kara. Deeply moved by their journey, Andres and Kara felt inspired to put their powerful experience into writing and graciously granted us permission to share their story with our community. We hope you enjoy their inspiring reflections below:
"I had never felt called to visit Tepeyac Hill. That changed this year when my husband, Andres, was invited by Tepeyac Leadership Inc. (TLI) to share his witness of faith and family life.
We had recently celebrated 15 years of marriage and welcomed nine children into our family. We had planned a vacation in October to celebrate our anniversary, but everything changed when Andres received an invitation from Cris Pereya to join a pilgrimage to Mexico City.
When Andres shared the invitation with me, I immediately said yes. Looking back, I sometimes wonder, "What version of myself agreed to this?" I was leaving our nine children, including my 10-month-old baby, to travel to a place I had never felt called to visit.
What I didn't know was that I was being called.
Our Lady was calling me.
Who was I that she would want to call? Like Juan Diego, I am not someone of particular importance. I am simply a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of nine. Little did I know that this pilgrimage would change the way I understood my faith.
As a cradle Catholic, I had grown up going through the motions without truly understanding my faith. When I met Andres, everything began to change. He knew something I didn't, something I had always yearned for.
I had always affirmed my belief in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but deep down, I still had doubts. Even as I taught my children about this central truth of our faith, I knew I needed something more. I prayed for a deeper understanding, yet sometimes felt unworthy of receiving it. This was one of my greatest struggles as a practicing Catholic, and one I had only recently found the courage to express openly.
The TLI pilgrimage would become a turning point in my spiritual journey. Through our Blessed Mother and the unique experience TLI provided, I encountered Our Lord in a way I had secretly prayed for but never expected.
On the first day, as I passed the beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, tears filled my eyes. Yet I wondered, "Why is this all I feel?" I had heard stories of people experiencing profound conversion after seeing her image, and I questioned why I wasn't experiencing the same thing.
As we explored Tepeyac Hill, I felt a presence of love and peace. The pilgrimage also offered a carefully curated program with speakers whose wisdom and years of experience nourished me in ways I can hardly explain. I am deeply grateful for what I learned through their witness and insights.
On the final day, we concluded with a Eucharistic procession. I was tired and eager to finish shopping for my children before heading to Puerto Vallarta to celebrate our anniversary.
But Our Lady had other plans.
The procession became one of the most profound experiences of my life. As we followed Our Lord through Tepeyac Hill, we passed the Basilica, and I felt as though Our Lady was united with her Son. I kept thinking, "Our Lord is here with His Mother."
In that moment, something within me was transformed. Something I had long prayed for was answered in the most unexpected way: Our Lady had called me to Tepeyac Hill to encounter her Son.
I couldn't wait to tell Andres what had happened. When I shared my experience with him, we both wept on the beach in Puerto Vallarta. My prayers had been answered, and Andres encouraged me to write everything down.
Looking back, I know this experience would not have happened for me without TLI's invitation. It is remarkable how the most unexpected invitations can lead us to the most profound moments of our lives.
As a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of nine, I never imagined experiencing such a profound conversion through a Catholic leadership program. Yet this journey reminded me that Our Lord and Our Lady call each of us, regardless of how small or insignificant we may feel.
I now understand the True Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist in a way I had long prayed for.
I am deeply grateful to Cris for inviting Andres, because that invitation brought me one step closer to Our Lord.
I encourage everyone to accept such invitations and to pray for answers, as I did. Our Lord and Our Lady are waiting. They desire for each of us to experience true conversion and to share eternal happiness with them in Heaven."
Kara Martin
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