The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been a vital part of Mexican heritage since the 16th century. The tale begins with a humble indigenous man, originally named Cuauhtlatohuac, who, after baptism, was known as Juan Diego. He was a 57-year-old widower living near Mexico City. On a Saturday morning in December 1531, Juan Diego was on his way to Mass in a neighboring area.

His journey took him past Tepeyac Hill, where he encountered an extraordinary vision. He heard melodious music resembling bird songs and saw a radiant cloud. Within this cloud appeared a young Native American woman, adorned in attire reminiscent of an Aztec princess. She spoke to Juan Diego in his native tongue, instructing him to request that the Bishop of Mexico, Juan de Zumarraga, build a chapel at the site of her appearance.

The bishop, initially skeptical, requested a sign from the lady. Around this time, Juan Diego’s uncle fell gravely ill, leading Juan to evade further encounters with the mysterious lady. However, she found him, reassured him about his uncle’s recovery, and provided roses for Juan to present to the bishop, carried in his tilma (a type of cloak).

In a dramatic revelation, when Juan Diego unfolded his tilma before the bishop, the roses cascaded to the floor, and an image of Mary, mirroring her appearance at Tepeyac Hill, was miraculously imprinted on the cloth. This event occurred on December 12, 1531.

The tilma itself, made from coarse vegetable fiber, possibly maguey, is a simple, sack-like fabric. Composed of two strips around seventy inches long and eighteen inches wide, joined by a fragile seam visible down the middle, the material was neither intended nor prepared for artistic use. Yet, the image on it displayed a complex array of color techniques, combining elements of oil, water, and tempera, which left artists and observers in awe. The image, with perfect proportions of a young maiden, about fifteen years old, exudes both motion and tranquility, supported by an angel. Its predominant colors are deep gold in the rays and stars, blue-green in the mantle, and rose in the flowered tunic.

Our Lady of Guadalupe holds immense significance as the patroness of Mexico and the entire Americas, embodying a deep cultural and religious symbolism.

Editorial credit: AM113 / Shutterstock.com
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15 COMMENTS

  1. What a great story. This is the main reason why I am still alive after all I’ve been through. I was born to die but because of her, I was allowed to live. At 1 and a half years of age, I had a horrific accident and because of her, I came out of the situation without a single scratch. I should’ve been dead. When I was about 9 years of age again, I had a horrific accident very similar to the one prior at age 1.5 but this time it was from an even higher distance that I fell from (the 3rd story of a building) and because of her protection, I received not a single scratch. When I was 18 I was in an awful car accident where both of the cars involved were totaled due to the motorist being drunk behind the wheel of the other vehicle. This happened on Mother’s day after visiting my mother and my brother was with me at the time of the accident. 4 men drenched and covered in blood were in the other car and they were all drunk as well. Thanks to Our Lady of Guadalupe (or La Virgen de Guadalupe, as I’ve always known her) & her protection, once again, helped both my brother and I to walk out of that situation without a single scratch though my car was totally destroyed. When I was 25 years old, I was deployed to Iraq and I escaped many, many close calls but in 2 situations, clearly, the work of Mi Madre La Virgen de Guadalupe played a part in me having the opportunity to write this message now. You see, the vehicle I was in was blown up twice, 1 month apart from each other. The 1st time was by a car full of explosives and the 2nd time was by a suicide bomber in a car full of explosives. Both times, I escaped without a single scratch. Unfortunately, my friends were severely injured but thankfully, miraculously, all of them survived the blasts as well. Gracias Virgen de Guadalupe Madre mia. Se lo agradesco bien mucho! Thank you Our Lady of Guadalupe for protecting me ever since I was born. I don’t take it for granted and I am very grateful that you’ve done so all this time.

    • What an incredible life you have had. Thank you also for. Serving our country. I am happy you are alive to tell this story. Many blessings!

  2. Our Lady of Guadalupe,

    Please watch over my children & their families. Please keep them devout, safe & healthy. Please bring Peace to the World. In Jesus’ name. Amen

  3. 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 Prostestanten!
    Kehrt um, alle Protestanten der Welt!!!

  4. O Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, grant to our homes the grace of loving and respecting life in its beginnings, with the same love with which you conceived in your womb the life of the Son of God. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Fair love, protect our families so that they may always be united and bless the upbringing of our children.
    Our hope, look upon us with pity, teach us to go continually to Jesus, and if we fall help us to rise again and return to him through the confession of our faults and our sins in the sacrament of penance, which gives peace to the soul.
    We beg you to grant us a great love of all the holy sacraments, which are, as it were, the signs that your Son left us on earth. Thus, Most Holy Mother, with the peace of God in our consciences, with our hearts free from evil and hatred, we will be able to bring to all others true joy and true peace, which come to us from your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever.
    Amen.

  5. OUR. LADY. OF. GUADALUPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! HEAR. MY. PRAYERS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,FOR. THOSE. WHO. ARE. LOST. IN. THE
    DARKNESS. OF. NIGHT,,,,,,,,,,BRING. THEM. BACK. TO. ,,,,,,,TO. YOUR. LIGHT!!!!!!!!!! THESE. POOR. SOULS. ARE
    DAMAGED. GOODS !!!!!!! THEY. LIVE. WITH. MANY. UGLY. PAINS. AND. MEMORIES!!!!!!!! THEIR. JOYS. ARE. TO
    HARM. OTHERS,,,,,,,,,CONSEQUENTLY,,,,,,,,,,,,ONLY. BRINGING,,,MORE. SO. MUCH. MORE. PAIN. TO. THEMSELVES!!!
    MAY. THE. LOVE. OF. OUR. LADY. OF. GUADALUPE,,,RETURN. TO. THEIR. HEARTS. 💕

  6. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. For life faith hope love.
    All holy men and women, martyrs, saints, angels, pray for us.
    For conversion of sinners and redemption of suffering souls.
    Holy Family of Nazareth, restore matrimony and family life.
    Transform all of mankind’s iniquity into integrity. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
    Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
    Blood of Christ Crucified, cleanse the Vatican.
    For the sake of Your Son, have mercy Lord.
    BVMary, OLOG, protect life from conception to natural death.

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