But Tonantzin Lives

Before the conquistadores came
They knew her
She knew them.

 

Before the blackrobes came
They knew her
She knew them.

 

Before the bishops came
They knew her
She knew them.

 

The land was taken
The people were taken
And the blackrobes thought:

 

‘We have taken her away
She will be theirs no longer
She will not ever Be again
In saecula saeculorum.‘

 

But Tonantzin lives:
Compassion in the heart of the people.
But Tonantzin lives:
Even under the name from the blackrobes.
But Tonantzin lives

 

The Name of Compassion matters not;
Whether Tonantzin or Guadalupe
Kwan Yin, Durga, or Artemis
What matters is the hearts of the people.

 

For do not even the blackrobes
Associate Compassion with Guadalupe
Under the many names she has
In many cultures in the world?

 

“Memorare,
o piisima Virgo Maria,
non esse auditum a saeculo,
quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia,
tua implorantem auxilia,
tua petentem suffragia esse derelicta.“