Our Lady of Guadalupe is an apparition of Mary that appeared in Mexico around the year 1531, just ten years after the Aztec Empire had fallen. Our Lady had appeared on several occasions to an Aztec man named Juan Diego, who was a convert to Christianity.
Our Lady’s first apparition to Juan Diego occurred on December 9th at the Hill of Tepeyac, a hill which is located in present day Mexico City. Our Lady had spoken to Juan Diego in Nahuatl, Juan Diego’s native language and the language of the former Aztec Empire. When Our Lady spoke to Juan Diego, she identified herself as the “mother of the very true deity”. She had come with a request for him: to build a shrine on the spot where she had appeared. Juan Diego soon after sought the Archbishop of Mexico City to tell him what had happened. The bishop did not believe Juan Diego and refused to let him build the shrine.
Later that same day, Our Lady appeared once more to Juan Diego asking him to petition the bishop again. The next day, December 10th, Juan Diego met again with the bishop. The bishop again refused Juan Diego’s request and instead requested that Juan Diego ask Our Lady for a miraculous sign to prove her identity. Juan Diego then returned to the Hill of Tepeyac to relay the Archbishop’s request to Our Lady.
Our Lady told Juan Diego that she would provide a sign the next day, December 11th. The next day came and Juan Diego’s uncle had become deathly ill. Juan Diego spent the day caring for his uncle and did not meet with Our Lady.
The next day, December 12th, came and Juan Diego’s uncle was nearing death. Juan Diego set off that morning to find a priest to hear his uncle’s confession. Juan Diego was ashamed that he did not seek out Our Lady the day prior and purposely went around the Hill of Tepeyac. Our Lady, however, intercepted Juan Diego. She asked Juan Diego where he was going. Juan Diego explained his uncle’s condition to Our Lady, to which she replied “Am I not here, I who am your mother?” Our Lady then informed Juan Diego that his uncle had recovered, that there was no need for worry.
Shortly afterwards, Our Lady sent Juan Diego to the top of Tepeyac Hill to collect flowers. Under normal circumstances, the top of Tepeyac Hill is barren, doubly so in the cold winter. However, Juan Diego did not question Our Lady’s order. Upon reaching the top, Juan Diego discovered an abundance of blooming Casilian roses, a flower which is not native to Mexico. Juan Diego quickly gathered the roses and returned to Our Lady. Our Lady arranged the flowers in Juan Diego’s cloak and sent him to visit the Archbishop once again. Juan Diego told the bishop about the flowers and opened his cloak to show them. The roses fell to the ground, and in their place appeared an image of the Blessed Virgin. The bishop, full of awe and reverence, removed Juan Diego’s cloak and placed it in his private chapel. The very next day, work on the shrine began.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deepfelt confidence to beg this favor…. O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
