La Virgen de Guadalupe

El 12 de diciembre

Nuestra Señora de GuadalupePatron Saint of Mexico (protecting/ guiding saint)

Symbol of Mexico

Background Info

• 1519—Spanish arrived in Mexico

• 1521 Tenochitlán falls to Hernan Cortés

• 1523—1st Catholic missionaries arrive

• Dec 9, 1531-Our story begins

Tepeyac Hill

The First Meeting• Juan Diego sees a

blinding vision.

• Mary’s request

• Difficulties for Juan Diego

• Bishop’s refusal

The Second Meeting

• December 12

• Ill relative

• Mary’s instructions

• The “tilma”/cloak

The Proof

• Flowers spilled out

• Perfect Image of the Virgin Mary imprinted on cloth

• Dark-skinned (Virgen Morena)

Important Dates• 1531—small church

constructed

• 1709—original replaced

• 1745 –Miracle of the the vision officially recognized

• 1904—church addition

• 20th century scientific study of cloth

1976—Newest Basilica Built

Cloth today

Sanctuary Cloth above altar

Bent Cross

Miracles

• Cloth preserved

• No under sketch

• Pigments

• Attempts to destroy

• Face

• Eyes

The Rest of the Story

• 1999-most visited Catholic shrine in the world (18-20M)

• 2002—Juan Diego declared a Saint—1st indigenous Mexican to achieve sainthood