Guadalupe Bling

Isn't it nice to know that the Virgin is in such high demand this Christmas season. Marketing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and "buying" into it only perpetuates the contradictory message society is selling. You too can have the Blessed Bling on the block:

The Mexican version of the Virgin Mary is on the Scottsdale nurse's $300 belt, threaded through her low-rise jeans. Her dark-skinned face shines on a silver buckle surrounded by green stones.

Self-described Virgin addict Elisa Walker, who is not religious, has spent at least $4,000 on crosses, paintings, key chains and statues, which range from 4 inches to 6 feet tall.

Twenty- to 70-somethings are snatching up $189 to $360 belt buckles, rings, T-shirts and chokers at Barbwire Western Couture boutique in Scottsdale.

Priests such as John Bonavitacola hope that those who latch onto Guadalupe's image keep in mind her message of compassion. "If they really knew the message, which is really concern for the poor and outcast, they might not be so quick to cash in on it," said Bonavitacola, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tempe.

The real message from American Catholic online:

In these days when we hear so much about God's preferential option for the poor, Our Lady of Guadalupe cries out to us that God's love for and identification with the poor is an age-old truth that stems from the Gospel itself.