Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12th

Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most venerated figures in the Catholic Church and is considered the patron saint of the Americas. Her story began in December 1531 in Mexico, when the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous convert to Christianity, on Mount Tepeyac, near Mexico City.

During the apparitions, the Virgin Mary spoke to Juan Diego in her native language, Nahuatl, and asked him to convey a message to the local bishop, Don Juan de Zumárraga. She wanted a church to be built on that site as a symbol of her presence and to welcome the faithful. However, the bishop asked for a sign in order to believe in the message.

On December 12, 1531, Mary asked Juan Diego to gather flowers on the mountain, even though it was winter and there were no flowers in the area. Miraculously, he found Castile roses, a species not native to Mexico. He carried them in his cloak (called a tilma) to the bishop. When he opened the cloak before him, the flowers fell out, revealing a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary imprinted on the fabric. This event marked the beginning of devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The image on Juan Diego's cloak is loaded with symbolism. Mary appears as a mixed-race woman, dressed in typical clothing of the time, with her hair loose as a sign of purity. She is surrounded by rays of sunlight and standing on the moon, important symbols for indigenous culture. Her serene and maternal expression conveys love and acceptance.

Juan Diego's cloak, with the image intact, is on display in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which is the largest Catholic pilgrimage site in Latin America. Millions of people visit the site every year, especially on December 12, when his feast day is celebrated.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is a symbol of faith, protection and unity between peoples and cultures. Her message of love and care for the poorest and most vulnerable lives on, inspiring millions of believers around the world.