Saint Juan Diego, born in 1474 in Tlayacac, Cuauhtitlan—a region established in 1168 by Nahua tribes and later conquered by the Aztecs in 1467—lived a modest life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. Situated 20 kilometers north of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), this area was rich in history and culture.

On the morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego embarked on a fifteen-mile journey to attend daily Mass in present-day Mexico City. As he neared Tepeyac Hill, he encountered an extraordinary sight: a radiant cloud surrounded by a rainbow and the sound of celestial music. A voice summoned him to the hilltop, where he witnessed a vision of a young woman, resembling an Aztec princess. She identified herself as the Virgin Mary and expressed her wish for a church to be constructed at that site, promising her presence and support to those who sought her.

Though initially met with skepticism by the bishop, Juan Diego was asked to provide evidence of this divine encounter. Amidst these events, Juan discovered his uncle was gravely ill. In his rush to find a priest, he missed his appointment with the Lady. However, she intercepted him, assuring him of his uncle’s miraculous recovery.

Instructed to gather flowers from the frozen hilltop, Juan Diego was astonished to find blooming Castilian roses, a species not native to Mexico. He collected them in his cloak and presented them to the bishop. As he unveiled the roses, an even more miraculous image was revealed: the glowing likeness of the Lady imprinted inside his cloak.

This event led to the construction of a church on the site and catalyzed the conversion of thousands to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe was proclaimed the patroness of the Americas. Juan Diego, known for his profound love for the Holy Eucharist and granted the exceptional privilege of receiving it thrice weekly, passed away on May 30, 1548.

Pope John Paul II lauded Juan Diego for his humble and steadfast faith. He epitomized humility and devotion, once describing himself in his dialogue with the Virgin Mary as “a nobody, a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf,” thereby serving as an enduring example of humility and faithfulness.

Editorial credit: VictorHugoGaribay / Shutterstock.com
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25 COMMENTS

  1. Oh God, Holy Lord, Mother of God, please work in my father’s life like you did in St. Juan Diego’s life. He went to the dr. to have some possible skin cancer removed. He is such a good man, and always been so generous to me and my family. Please St. Juan Diego pray for us all in these uncertain times. I long to have a vision of the Virgin Mary like you did. I have faith, I love Blessed Mary. Please Mary show me your evidence every day in my life more and more. Amen! Alleluia!! Alleluia!!

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  3. I am very happy when I found this website because by this address I can learn more and get many story about Catholic and Catholic traditions.thank you

  4. 4).
    Maria durch Guatelupe ging.
    Ky – rie – e – lei – son.
    Maria zu Juan Diego winkt,
    der hat zuvor dort noch nie Rosen gesehen.
    Jesus und Maria.
    5).
    Was trug Juan Diego in seiner Tilma?
    Ky – rie – e – lei – son.
    Spanische Rosen ohne Scherzen,
    das trug er voll Freud und Lieb´ in sein Herzen!
    Jesus und Maria.
    6).
    Da hat Guatelupe Rosen getragen!
    Ky – rie – e – lei – son.
    Als sie dem Zumarraga getragen,
    da haben die Indios Rosen getragen!
    Jesus und Maria.
    7).
    Da fängt an Glaube an Gott Wurzeln schlagen.
    Ky – rie – e – lei – son.
    Als Maria durch Mexiko getragen,
    da sind Millionen Frücht´ hervor gewachsen!
    Jesus und Maria!

    +++++++ +++++++ +++++++ +++++++

    nachgedichtet heute am Gedenktag “Unsre Liebe Frau von Guadalupe” – nach der Taufe von Stella in der Pfarrkirche in Weingarten bei Bruchsal und der anschließenden Feier im Familienkreis mit allen geladenen Gästen zu diesem Anlass – ins besondere durch die Inspiration vom Lob und Gesang aus dem neuen Gotteslob, Lied Nr.: 224# (siehe Bild-Anhang).
    Die Heiligste Jungfrau erschien damals dort den einheimischen Atzteke-Indianer Juan Diego vom 10. Dez. bis zum 12. Dez. 1531; exakt 10 Jahre nach dem Ausbruch der sogenannten “Reformation” – Bewegung in Deutschland , hauptsächlich im Osten Deutschlands im Jahre 1521, wo die Erzfeinde der Katholischen Kirche Gottes Martin Luther, von Karlstadt & Co. in nah zu allen Kirchen Ostdeutschlands den sogenannten “Bild-Sturm”(Entweihungen aller undenkbaren Arten und Ausschweifungen – genau wie bei der so genannten “Großen Kultur-Revolution” Chinas der 1960er Jahre – ) entbrennen ließen, wobei alles, was den Gläubigen der HL. Kirche heilig und teuer waren, in Asche und Schutt zerschlagen wurden!
    Dieses Gnadenbild in der Basilika von Guadalupe in der Mexiko City ist wohl die beste Antwort aus dem Himmelreich (not sky bus Heaven!) auf diese Banden und Horten von Banbinos Banditos dieser Sorten Arschlöcher wie Martin Luther, von Karlstadt & Co. samt ihrer “Reformation”!
    Kehrt um, Deutschlands Prostanten!
    Kehrt um, alle Protestanten der Welt!!!

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  6. DEAR ST.JUAN DIEGO PLS INTERCEDE FOR MY FAMILY ON THIS DAY, THAT PAIN, STRIFE, MISERY, IDOLATRY AND UNFAITHFULNESS WOULD HAVE NO HOLD IN IT, THAT LOVE,PEACE, UNDERSTANDING,PROGRESS AND FEAR OF GOD WOULD BE THE ORDER OF THE DAY HERE!

    VERY IMPORTANTLY TOO, THAT SPEEDY APPROVAL OF OUR APPLICATION WOULD COME IN THIS WEEK OF DECEMBER, 2018, WE PRAY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.
    MOST HOLY MOTHER MARY, PRAY FOR US, ST. JUAN OF DIEGO, PRAY FOR US.

  7. PRAYER TO ST. JUAN DIEGO
    Saint Juan Diego, you are our first American indigenous saint.
    Please pray that God the Father would protect all migrants through his Son, Jesus Christ.
    Ask the Father to pour out the love of the Holy Spirit upon all
    who are isolated, alone and separated by choice or necessity from their native lands.
    May those torn away from their families and forced to leave their country to find work elsewhere be reunited: husbands with wives and parents with children.
    We ask especially for migrant women and children who are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of human trafficking. Give them your protection and shield them from evil.
    May we as a Church receive the grace to welcome with love migrants who enter into our country, seeking a home in our parishes and communities.
    We ask for your prayers and intercession for all immigrants
    who are desperate, alone and in need of God’s loving support.
    And we ask Our Lady, who appeared to you as your Mother and Mother of all in our land, to wrap her mantle of protection around all migrant people.
    We beg for her love, compassion, help and protection on all immigrants who today experience great sufferings, sorrows, necessities and misfortunes.

    Amen.

  8. I pray for our military men and women who serve our country’s. May the grace of God bless over them and their families.

  9. Lord, let your light burn brightly in our hearts that we may know the joy and freedom of your kingdom. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and empower us to witness the truth of your Gospel and to point others to Jesus Christ. Amen.

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