Our Lady of Guadalupe Day

In Our Lady of Guadalupe, millions of Catholics from Mexico and around the world go on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe. For believers, the holiday has become the most important date of the year. It also symbolizes significant moments in Mexican history.

History

Back in 1531, Mary appeared to an Indian peasant named Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. A seventeen-year-old boy was on his way to Mount Tepeyac for morning mass. A beautiful woman asked to build a church on this site. The young man conveyed the words to the Bishop, but the minister did not believe and demanded to confirm what had happened. Juan again went to the hill, saw Mary and asked her to give a sign.

The next day, the guy met the Virgin, standing near a flowering rose bush. She ordered to collect flowers and take them to Bishop. When he opened the cloak in which he collected roses, the face of Mary turned out to be on it – all those present fell to their knees from what they saw. So there was a church, which over time was visited by more and more people.

The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is not only about religious moments: it has played a significant role in Mexican identity. The priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla fought for independence in honor of her name, while the images flaunted on the clothes of the revolutionaries. The Mexican people opposed colonial rule.

Interesting facts

Incredible studies of the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe:

• in 1976, scientists from Mexico came to the conclusion that the fabric was woven from the ayate cactus, but this material should have deteriorated in 2-3 years;
• in 1977, researchers from America and Germany confirmed that the image was not made by a human hand: there were no traces of this on it;
• in 2001, the data of a scientist from Peru were published, stating that with a multiple increase in the eyes of Mary, images of an Indian, a dark-skinned woman were found;
• experts from NASA shocked: the canvas has the temperature of a living person and even the pulse.

How to celebrate

At Our Lady of Guadalupe, go to church and pray. Gather loved ones around the table and read prayers. Visit events dedicated to the date! Learn more about Juane Diego from public sources.

When is Our Lady of Guadalupe Day celebrated in 2022?

Our Lady of Guadalupe Day is observed on December 12 each year.

Observations