Thousands of Roses Delivered to Our Lady
South Africa Needs Our Lady (SANOL) has sent hundreds of roses for the past three years to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. This has kindly been facilitated by our sister organisation in America. Here below is some interesting feedback from our friends Lora and Megan about their experiences and those of visitors they met at the shrine during February this year.
For six years, America Needs Fatima (ANF) has faithfully delivered roses to Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Basilica in Mexico City, fostering devotion and offering supporters and donors the opportunity to express their love and reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title as Queen of the Americas and Patroness of the Unborn. In addition, we also delivered prayer intentions for all those who donated roses.
An Expression of Gratitude
Our Report would not be complete without expressing our gratitude to the florist, Dona Ara and her team. They work tirelessly for days before the presentation of roses, procuring roses, preparing the terra cotta pots and making the rose arrangements. On the day of the presentation of the roses, she and her team carried each arrangement from the florist shop to the Shrine (where we took pictures) and then from the Shrine into the Basilica presenting them to Our Lady. This was no small task and they did it with great love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin.
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Visitors Unexpectedly Moved by Faith
We met three fellow Americans that had heard about the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and decided to visit to see what all the fuss was about. They kindly and enthusiastically shared their impressions with us:
Betsy M:
Entering the Basilica as a non-believer, I was struck by the profound sense of history, spirituality, and collective faith present throughout the Shrine. Seeing so many people united in shared devotion was both inspiring and extraordinary. Despite not being Catholic, I felt welcomed and included in that unity. Learning about the history of Our Lady of Guadalupe was fascinating and deeply moving. The roses added a vibrant energy and beauty to the entire experience, enhancing what was already a remarkable visit.
Ray M:
As a non-Catholic with no prior education or preconceived notions about Catholicism, I was deeply impressed by the profound commitment and dedication of the countless individuals who travelled hundreds—if not thousands—of miles to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe. Witnessing this devotion gave me a renewed appreciation for the central role faith plays in so many lives. The roses made an immediate and powerful impact on me. Many visitors were visibly moved by the floral display, joyfully taking photographs of their children and families with the arrangements. The experience was both overwhelming and inspiring. It is something that can be described, but not truly understood, until experienced firsthand.
Richard Z:
Today was a truly meaningful experience. The weather was beautiful, and the roses—arranged in a perfect circle—looked incredible. The flower arrangements were absolutely beautiful. Doña Ara and her entire family did a fantastic job organizing everything.
Seeing the Tilma up close and learning about its history was amazing. Seeing the crucifix that was bent by a bomb yet protected the miraculous Tilma was especially moving.
Walking through the Old Basilica and witnessing the history within its walls—including the visible sinking of the structure—was incredible. The artwork there was breathtaking, especially the painting honouring those who were killed in Mexico during the Cristero War; that art piece deeply affected me.
I had never lit a candle for a prayer intention before, and doing so at the Shrine was deeply spiritual. I’ve never considered myself particularly religious, though my parents were. They both passed away recently—and shortly before my father’s passing, on a trip together we shared a room, and every night before bed he would pray—for me, for my children, and for my siblings and their children. I always found those moments incredibly powerful. Lighting a candle today brought me right back to those quiet moments of prayer with my father. It was emotional and comforting at the same time, and it made this experience even more meaningful.
The walk up Tepeyac Hill was hot, but completely worth it. The gardens at the Shrine were stunning, and the statues and offerings to Our Lady were powerful and inspiring. I am so grateful I chose to make this trip. Experiencing everything in person was powerful beyond words.
Fellow Travelers – Jeff, Megan and Gianna Morris
Living in the United States, I sometimes take for granted the depth of devotion that exists elsewhere. Upon entering the gates of the Shrine, there is an unmistakable sense of pilgrimage and reverence that is difficult to replicate in the U.S. The devotion to Our Lady is visible and deeply woven into daily life here.
While the America Needs Fatima offering of roses was significant, it was equally moving to see small families presenting modest bouquets with immense love and reverence. The florist and her team worked tirelessly to create a beautiful and reverent display, and their dedication was evident in every detail.
Witnessing individuals—including women entering the Basilica on their knees—reinforced the certainty that we were all present for the same purpose: to venerate the miraculous tilma and to honour our Blessed Mother. As Catholics, we believe in uniting our suffering with Christ’s suffering, and seeing this lived expression of faith was profoundly moving.
Lighting a candle for every state on behalf of America Needs Fatima and praying for unborn children in danger of abortion was a powerful and deeply prayerful moment. I was also moved to pray for the parents of these unborn children, recognizing how vital our prayers are for them as well.
We (my wife, daughter, and I) made a second journey up Tepeyac Hill. Whether it was the physical exertion or something deeper, entering the chapel where Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego was an overwhelming experience marked by a palpable sense of presence and grace.
Global Expression of Devotion
Marian devotees from Canada and South Africa also sent roses to join the thousands of roses sent by ANF supporters and friends.
It is only natural that such a meaningful endeavour would expand beyond national borders. This year, for the first time, nine other countries—including nations in Europe and Latin America (Austria, Germany, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Italy, France, Paraguay) —joined in this global expression of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, especially to protect the unborn in their countries.
A Special Thank You and Invitation for 2027
We would like to extended a heartfelt Thank You to all the South Africa Needs Our Lady family and friends who generously donated to make this offering to Our Lady of Guadalupe for the unborn. We humbly ask for your continued prayers for the worldwide growth of devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, that through her intercession, the tragedy of abortion may one day end in every place and at every time.
We invite you to participate in this incredibly moving presentation of roses to Our Lady of Guadalupe on behalf of the unborn and place your prayer intentions at the top of the list for 2027, click here now!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, pray for us.