Our Lady of Guadalupe: Faith and Empowerment Among Mexican-American Women

Austin, Texas, U.S.A.: University of Texas Press, 1994. First Edition Stated . Trade Paperback. Near Fine. 6" x 9. 227 Pages Indexed. Foreword by Fr. Virgiliio Elizondo. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most important religious symbol of Mexico and one of the most powerful female icons of Mexican culture. In this study, based on research done among second-generation Mexican-American women, Rodriguez examines the role the symbol of Guadalupe has played in the development of these women. She goes beyond the thematic and religious implications of the symbol to delve into its relevance to their daily lives. Rodriguez's study offers an important reinterpretation of one of the New World's most potent symbols. Her conclusions dispute the common perception that Guadalupe is a model of servility and suffering. Rather, she reinterprets the symbol of Guadalupe as a liberating and empowering catalyst for Mexican-American women. Jeanette Rodriguez is an assistant professor at the Institute for Theological Studies at Seattle University. She holds a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union. Contents in Eight Chapters: Historical Contest The Spanish Conquest, Our Lady of Guadalupe Story Icon Experience, Insights from the Experience of Juan Diego First Perceiver of Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Experience of Mexican-American Women, Methodology and Research Findings, Analysis Six Questions, Theological Significance, and Conclusions. Plus Six Appendices.