The Virgin of Guadalupe

One Saturday morning, December 9, 1531, a Mexican native named Juan Diego was walking along the mountain path to the city of Tlatelolco.  Along the way he heard a voice that called out to him, "My son, Juan Diego, where are you going?"  "I'm going to mass at the church in Thatelolco," he responded.  The voice said, "Go to the Bishop of Mexico and tell him that I am Mary, Mother of God, and tell him that I want a church built here."

The Bishop did not believe what Juan Diego told him about the voice.   However, once again while walking home; Juan Diego heard the Virgin call out to him in the same place.  She repeated the request for a church to be built ...............

_{Please Note: Our local procession takes place December 11^th – The procession will be starting at the Gala Hotel in Playacar and will end at the main church in Playa del Carmen.}

When Juan Diego spoke with the Bishop again, he told him that he still did not believe the story.  Juan Diego was very sad that the Bishop did not believe him.  A third time, Juan Diego heard the Virgin make her request in the same spot; and the Bishop still did not believe.  But this time the Bishop asked Juan Diego to bring him a sign from the Virgin.

On December 12, Juan Diego returned to the Virgin and asked him for a sign to give to the Bishop to prove that her request was real.  The Virgin told Juan Diego to go up the mountain and pick a red rose that was growing in the snow to take to the Bishop. 

Juan Diego knew that roses didn't grow in the winter, especially on the mountain top, in the snow!  When he went to look for the rose, he couldn't believe the miracle.  He found a beautiful red rose growing in the snow, cut it, and delivered it to the Bishop. 

When Juan Diego gave the rose to the Bishop as proof of the Virgin's request, the Bishop saw on the front of Juan Diego's cloak, an image of the Virgin.   It was a true miracle.  For this reason, throughout all Mexico, December 12 is celebrated in honor. Her power, her light and her love are remembered through the processions and pilgrimages.

The Mystery

That the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe remained on the cloak; this rough handmade garment over 460 years is a mystery. The normal lifespan for the fabric which had been made from agave, would be from 10-20 years. This incredible image has survived unscathed by 166 years of unprotected display and reverent touching, the explosion of a bomb left in a nearby vase, and in the 1800’s, silversmiths repairing the frame, spilled nitric acid which covered nearly two thirds of the cloth.

Over the centuries scientists and experts from around the world have inspected and tested the fabric, but have never detected a trace of ink or paint.

The Indians who saw the image felt her blue green outer cloak told them that she was an ambassador, coming with messages from the most powerful of gods, the sun. The stars on her cloak formed the constellations as they appeared in the sky on December 12, 1531. At her waist was a black sash, as was worn by all pregnant women at that time. Most important of all, unlike the paintings and the statues in the churches, this messenger from God had skin the color of their own, a coppery brown.

In recent years, with the invention of more powerful microscopic instruments, study of the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe has continued, with more and more discoveries. First it was found that the highlight in her downcast right eye is a perfect profile image of Juan Diego. Years later, using computer imaging, scientists found as many as 18 persons in the eyes of the Virgin, one very Ghandi-like, another a black woman, and more.

All the science in the world however cannot begin to understand the importance of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico, in Latin America and in the United States. For this understanding, we must look at the people’s devotion to her, their relationship with her.

The devotion to Guadalupe transcends any form of religious scope to become a symbol of Mexican nationalism and patriotism. Guadalupe creates a bond, a sense of being Mexican, of profound pride in being Mexican. Her influence crosses all borders and boundaries. She transcends the normal division of social strata found yet today in Mexico, and her devotees are the rich and humble, the industrialized and the farmer, the educated and the illiterate, the religious and the cynical. Her altar is a glitter of lights, roses and hope, the Mexican love for her is an endless hymn, the Mexican’s contact with her is hourly, and she is the Mother of Mexico, the Queen of the Americas, many feel she IS Mexico.

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