Wk. 5: La Virgen de Guadalupe

From my birth I was placed into the Catholic religion. I was baptized, completed my first communion and confirmation. After finishing my confirmation to satisfy my parents, I never went back to the Church as a believer. One moment during the youth group I had attended prior to completing my confirmation, someone had asked if we worship the Virgin the same way we do God and the answer was no. That although we honor her, we do not equate her grandeur to that of God or even Jesus. Growing up I was never told to pray to the Virgen, just to God. I had never really thought about it much back then but now being asked to tell my experience I realize that practically the only female icon we are exposed to in this religion isn't to be regarded that highly compared to the male icons.

I find the whole concept of the Virgen ironic, the Catholic religion imposes the idea that if a woman engages in sexual activity prior to marriage she is no longer pure or innocent therefore not worthy of an honorable marriage. However, the Virgen being an already married woman and being able to have a child without sex is the perfect example of a pure women doing her duty by having children. It's ridiculous to me. 

The Virgen was never someone I could relate to, none of my experiences related to hers, the traits she embodies doesn't align with who I am. I only ever saw her as this small statue that we have in our house. I see her as someone without any character, just a face created to symbolize the insane ideals that religions such as this one expect women to uphold. Being apart of the Catholic religion, I never felt comfortable and leaving it was very freeing for me. I understand that religion wants it's believers to look up to icons like the Virgen as role models but I never did. I find better role models by paying attention to the people I actually know and those whose stories I've heard about with the good they've achieved. I was never told to follow these icons to become a better person but just to obey the rules in order to served God. The people I see as role models now make me want to be a better person.