Local doctor to speak on Our Lady of Guadalupe

It is said that the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe was the single most powerful evangelization event since Pentecost. Guadalupe happens to be the geographical center of the Americas; therefore, she is considered the patroness of the two continents. She is also the patroness of this year’s Worcester Catholic Women’s Conference with the theme of evangelization, “I Thirst for the Salvation of Souls.”

The story of Juan Diego and Our Lady is fascinating in itself, but even more fascinating are both the symbolism and the scientifically documented miracles discovered on the image left on St. Juan Diego’s tilma in 1531. Just as miraculous is the fact that both the image and the tilma have survived all of these years.

Speaking at this year’s women’s conference on the topic of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dr. Madeline Colon-Usowicz, in December, was featured in a two-part series on the WCCA TV show Close to Home discussing the miraculous apparition and missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Madeline Colón-Usowicz M.D., M.S., M.B.A. is a family physician from Webster.  

Born and raised in a Catholic household, she was inspired to study medicine when her godfather, a Passionist missionary priest, communicated the need for doctors at a rural clinic being constructed in Honduras. She has since had the opportunity to serve as a missionary doctor in Honduras and has dedicated her medical practice to serving vulnerable populations.  

A devout Marian, she has traditionally celebrated the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe from a young age. Dr. Colon-Usowicz is fluent in Spanish and her most recent evangelization has included sharing the love of Jesus through Mary, in both Spanish and English, at local parish speaking engagements. Her talk at the conference is titled “Our Lady of Guadalupe, Where Science and Medicine Meet Faith”

Also speaking at the conference will be Father Matthew Norwood, a pastor from the Archdiocese of Boston; Adam Janke of St. Paul Street Evangelization; Tim Francis, a Catholic speaker and author; and Noelle Mering, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the speakers’ program, the sacrament of reconciliation will be available during the lunch break. The conference will begin with adoration and the rosary led by Bishop McManus who will also celebrate the vigil Mass at 5 p.m.. in St. Joseph Basilica. Many ministries will be present to share their information and some will have items for sale.

Tickets are $60. Student tickets (16-22) are $25. Both include breakfast and lunch. Visit wcwconference.com for details and registration information or call Corinn Dahm at 508-277-3969.