The History of La Virgen de Guadalupe

The History of La Virgen de Guadalupe by rosalia salazar

La Virgen de Guadalupe, or Virgin Mary, is a very symbolic figure in the Roman Catholic religion and Mexican culture. She first appeared on December 9th, 1531, in front of Juan Diego, an indigenous man on the Hill of the Tepeyac, right outside of the city that is now known as Mexico City. She spoke to Juan Diego in his native language of Nahuatl and revealed herself to be the Virgin Mary. It is said that she asked for a church to be built next the spot where she appeared.

After speaking to her, Juan Diego spoke to the archbishop of Mexico City, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, and told him what happened. The archbishop did not believe Juan Diego. The next day, Juan Diego returned to La Virgen and told her that the archbishop wanted proof that she was real, he wanted a miracle. In response, La Virgen told Juan Diego to collect as many flowers from the Tepeyac as he could and hold them in his tilma, or cloak, to show to the archbishop.

Once Juan Diego returned to the archbishop on December 12th, 1531, the flowers from his tilma fell to the floor and on his tilma was the image of the Virgin Mary. Once the archbishop saw the image on Juan Diego’s cloak he stood in shock.

Construction for the church the Virgen asked for began immediately. Juan Diego’s cloak that has the image of La Virgen is on display at the Basilica de Guadalupe and is visited by millions of Catholics yearly, especially on December 12.

Appreciate