Embedded Files
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Marian holy cards collection, ML.031 Box 26, circa 1675-2018. Marian Library, University of Dayton Libraries, Dayton, Ohio.
Country
Mexico
Description
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a popular and iconic image, recognized all over the world. She is a life-sized portrayal of the Virgin Mary that dates back to 1531, when she first appeared to a Native man named Juan Diego, on the hill of Tepeyac on December 9.
According to Diego Mary directed him to instruct the archbishop to build a church to her in that spot. The archbishop failed to believe Juan on two different occasions. This is when Mary decided to plant colorful roses in an area where only desert plants would grow. Juan took these roses and placed them in his tilma, presenting them to the Franciscan Bishop-elect, Juan Zumarraga this time instead. When Juan unfolded his tilma before the Bishop, the roses cascaded onto the floor and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously impressed to the cloth.
This miracle convinced the Bishop, influencing him to order a shrine be built where Mary had originally appeared. The main image associated with Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Virgin Mary with jet black hair, wrapped in bright blue shawl bordered in gold. Upon her lowered head, she wears an open crown and holds her hands clasped in prayer before her. At her feet there is an angel and all around her a golden glow. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe hangs above the main altar in the shrine that was built in Tepeyac. The image is preserved behind a glass screen and is viewed from twenty-five feet away.
More than ten million people come to visit this shrine each year in order to view the famous image of Guadalupe. This makes it the second most popular shrine in the Catholic world, following St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Many events have occurred in Mexico in the centuries since the image was gifted Juan Diego that could have completely destroyed the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe; yet it remains intact. There have been many natural disasters, including particularly dangerous floods. Other, more modern events have also occurred, e.g. when someone placed a bomb directly inside the Basilica and right before the altar where the image is kept. When the bomb went off, no damage even to the display of Our Lady of Guadalupe occurred. The altar was completely ruined but nothing else was harmed. This incident further enhanced the miraculous power associated with her.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, as patroness of Mexico, holds a special place in the hearts of the people of that country. Her image is ubiquitous and representative of Mexican people and heritage. She is, however, also the patroness of the Continental Americas. As such, she is celebrated in most Latin American countries on her feast day, December 12. Her fiestas patronales in Mexico, however, as is to be expected, are the most elaborate.
References:
“Our Lady of Guadalupe: Icon of the Church in the Americas,” University of Dayton. Accessed April 12, 2024.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mexican National Symbol.” University of Dayton. Accessed April 12, 2024.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe Mexico.“ Divine Mysteries and Miracles. July 13, 2016.
“San Juan Diego.” University of Dayton. Accessed April 12, 2024.
Researched by Courtney M. Ware
Popular Devotions
Women go up Tepeyac on their knees.
Hail Mary
Dios te salve, María. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre: Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen.
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