The well authenticated story of the five apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary is briefly related here:
1st Apparition: At dawn on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego, an Indian convert, was going to Tlatelolco to attend catechism class and hear the Mass. As he was passing Tepeyac Hill, he saw a brilliant light on the summit and heard the strains of celestial music. Filled with wonder, he stopped. Then he heard a feminine voice asking him to ascend. When he reached the top he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary standing in the midst of a glorious light, in heavenly splendor. The beauty of her youthful countenance and her look of loving kindness filled Juan Diego with unspeakable happiness as he listened to the words which she spoke to him in his native language. She told him she was the perfect and eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, and made known to him her desire that a shrine be built there where she could demonstrate her love, her compassion and her protection. “For I am your merciful Mother”, she said, “to you and to all mankind who love me and trust in me and invoke my help. Therefore, go to the dwelling of the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin Mary sent you to make known to him her great desire.”
2nd Apparition: The Bishop was reluctant to believe Juan Diego’s story. Juan returned to Tepeyac Hill where he found the Blessed Virgin waiting for him, and told her of his failure. She bade him return to the Bishop the next day and repeat her wishes.
3rd Apparition: The Bishop then requested that the Lady give him a sign. Juan reported that evening and she promised to grant his petition on the following morning. But Juan was prevented from coming because of a sudden and severe illness of his uncle, Juan Bernardino.
4th Apparition: Two days later, on December 12, as he was going to the Church at Tlatelolco in order to bring a priest to his dying uncle, Juan Diego was stopped by the Lady, who had come down from Tepeyac Hill to meet him in the road. She listened quietly to Juan’s excuse for not having kept his appointment with her the day before. When he had finished speaking she said, “It is well, littlest and dearest of my sons, but now listen to me. Do not let anything afflict you and be not afraid of illness or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Are you not in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need? Do not fear for your uncle for he is not going to die. Be assured… he is already well.”
Having heard these words, Juan Diego rejoiced and asked for the sign he was to take to the Bishop. He was told to climb to the top of the hill where she had spoken to him on three previous occasions. She said he would find many flowers blooming there which he was to cut and bring to her. Juan Diego did as he was told though he knew no flowers had ever bloomed before on the stony summit. He discovered a marvelous garden of dew-fresh blossoms which he cut as she had asked. Placing them in his rough cloak, or tilma, he brought the flowers to the Lady who rearranged them and told him to take them to the Bishop; that this was the sign to persuade him to carry out her wishes.
When Juan Diego, radiantly happy, stood before Bishop Fray Juan de Zumarraga and told him of the fourth encounter with the Lady, he opened his tilma to show the Bishop the sign; the flowers cascaded to the floor – but to the astonishment of the Bishop and Juan Diego, there appeared upon the coarse fabric of the Indian’s mantle a marvelously wrought, exquisitely colored portrait of the Blessed Virgin, just as Juan Diego had previously described her.
5th Apparition: Earlier that same day, December 12, she had also appeared to Juan’s uncle, Juan Bernardino, and restored him to health as she had told Juan Diego. Juan Diego was at that time fifty-seven years old; his uncle was sixty-eight. Both had been among the first of the natives to be baptized into the true faith several years before.
The Name of Guadalupe
Juan Bernardino told his nephew the Blessed Virgin had ordered him to relate to the Bishop in what miraculous manner she had cured him. She also told Juan Bernardino her image was to be known as “Santa Maria de Guadalupe” and thus she has been venerated by this title for nearly five centuries.
The Mantle of Juan Diego
The mantle or tilma on which the Sacred Image of the Blessed Virgin is imprinted is handwoven from the fibers of the Maguey cactus, a fabric which has a life span of little more than thirty years. It is six-and-a-half feet long by forty-two inches wide and has a seam running down the middle.
The Sacred Image
Directly on this rough, burlap-like material is the exquisitely delicate figure of Our Lady, four feet, eight inches in height. This authentic portrait of the Virgin Mary has remained fresh and lovely for nearly five centuries and may be viewed today at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City where it occupies the place of honor above and behind the main altar.
The Pictograph
The Sacred Image is a pictograph or picture writing; every detail symbolic. She is brighter than the sun; her foot rests upon the moon; the stars on her mantle are in the same relative configurations as the stars in the heavens on the morning of December 12, 1531; the northern constellations on her right – the southern constellations on her left. Further, the golden filigree over her rose colored gown matches the topography of the Mexican lands once ruled by the Aztecs.
Despite more than twenty-two languages and almost fifty dialects spoken at that time, all were able to read and understand all that is contained in this Sacred Image. So it was in this manner eight million natives were converted to Christianity in the incredibly short span of seven years.
The Chapels
On December 26, 1531, two weeks after its marvelous appearance, the Sacred Image of the Blessed Virgin was moved from the Bishop’s oratory to the new Hermitage at the foot of Tepeyac Hill. Thousands of church and civil dignitaries, Indians and Spainards made up the colorful procession. This little chapel was enlarged and renovated several times before 1622 when a second larger church was completed.
In 1667, a chapel was built on the hill to commemorate the first three apparitions. El Cerrito was rebuilt in 1957 and shares the hilltop with a Carmelite convent and a cemetery.
In 1695, the Church of the Indians was completed It was next to the Hermitage, which served as its sacristy, and housed the Sacred Image while the church of 1622 was razed to make room for the first Basilica.
In 1787, the Convent of the Capuchin Sisters was built adjoining the Basilica of 1709 in order to have a place for Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. For the seven years, seven months and seven days prior to completion of the renovation of the Basilica on September 30, 1985, the Sacred Image was housed there.
The First Basilica
The first Basilica was completed in 1709 and the Sacred Image was installed above the high altar for the veneration of all. This Basilica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches in the Western Hemisphere. Constructed of red volcanic rock and sandstone, it is 184 feet long by 122 wide. The bell towers rises 108 feet and the dome 124 feet.
Six enormous oil paintings and many smaller works of art decorate the walls and depict Guadalupan history. Life-sized sculptures of Bishop Zumarraga and Juan Diego kneel reverently at the sides of the white Carrara marble altar, above which the Sacred Image was enthroned until its transfer to the new Basilica on October 12, 1976. The structure has since been converted to a museum.
The New Basilica
A large cross and the symbolic Marian “M” gracefully top the majestic upsweep of the new Basilica, rising almost 150 feet into the sky from its huge semicircular base. Nine small chapels are arranged around a balcony at the rear of the Basilica, which holds ten thousand people. Easily seen from anywhere inside, ensconced above and behind the red seats for visiting Prelates, behind the main altar, is the Sacred Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Image is behind bullet-proof glass, with three frames: of gold, five inches wide; of silver, five inches wide; and of bronze, fourteen-and-one-half inches wide. Below the Image, three “moving sidewalks” carry pilgrims and devotees past the Image, only thirty-five feet above.
On the left of the main altar is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. To the right is the Saint Joseph Chapel, where the Canons of the Basilica recite the daily office of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The Crown
On the 12th of October, 1895, by decree of Pope Leo XIII, the Image of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe was crowned with great solemnity. On October 12, 1945, the fiftieth anniversary of the crowning, Pope Pius XII proclaimed her Patroness of all the Americas. Above the frame there is always a replica of the 1895 Crown. Made in Paris, the crown contains jewels and precious stones donated by the ladies of Mexico City. It is valued at more than two million pesos.
A second crown was donated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1945 by the people of Mexico. It was made by a team of eigthteen artists who were directed by a famous lapidary. It weighs thirty-two pounds. Other valuable crowns have been donated over the years by many groups, including the goldsmiths and silversmiths of Mexico.
The Mass and Office
Our Lady of Guadalupe has a special Mass in the Roman Breviary for the 12th of December. It is a Holy Day of Obligation in Mexico, with Octave and double rites of the first class. The Sanctuary of Guadalupe is equal in rank to the Lateran Basilica (second only to St. Peter’s) and the Abbot and Canons have been assigned vestments different from all others.
Words of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego
“Know for certain, least of my sons, that I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God through whom everything lives, the Lord of all things near and far, the Master of heaven and earth. It is my earnest wish that a temple be built here to my honor. Here I will demonstrate, I will exhibit, I will give all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection to the people. I am your merciful mother, the merciful mother of all of you who live united in this land, and of all mankind, of all those who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who seek me, of those who have condfidence in me. Here I will hear their weeping, their sorrow, and will remedy and alleviate all their multiple sufferings, necessities and misfortunes.”
FAQs
What is the story behind Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›
According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a man of Aztec descent who had converted to Christianity, on December 9, 1531. She asked Juan Diego to build a shrine on the spot where she had appeared, Tepeyac Hill, now in a suburb of Mexico City.
When was the last apparition of Our Lady? ›Description. Crowds gathered in Cova da Iria on October 13, 1917, for what would be the final apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the three children. A period of rain earlier that day caused puddles and mud, which witnesses reported to dry up completely during the Milagre do Sol (Miracle of the Sun).
What was Mary's message to Adele Brise? ›Prayer after Communion for the conversion of sinners
Thank you for sending the Queen of Heaven to earth with a message calling us to conversion and emphasizing the sacraments. For when she appeared to Adele Brise in 1859, she asked her to offer her Holy Communion for the conversion of sinners.
Our Lady of the Pillar is considered the first Marian apparition, although it is unique in this regard because it is the only one to have occurred while Mary may have still been alive on Earth.
What is the difference between the Virgin Mary and Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe (Virgen de Guadalupe), is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with a venerated image enshrined within the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
How many times did Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared? ›How many times did Mary appear to Juan Diego? She appeared to St. Juan Diego four times between December 9-12, 1531.
How many apparitions have there been? ›Over the course of Church history, there have been many reports and accusations of Marian apparitions. However, the twenty-six that have been approved as authentic and worthy of belief are spread all across the globe from Japan, to Wisconsin, to Egypt.
What did Virgin Mary say about Russia? ›The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world."
What do the 12 stars above Mary's head represent? ›She is in continuity with the original people of God but stands also for the renewed people of God, the Church. Here is where the star symbol applies. The twelve stars above her head apply to both the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel (original people of God), and the twelve apostles (renewed people of God).
What does Mary's veil symbolize? ›Her veil, draped over both heads, symbolizes the human nature that Christ inherited from his mother as well as their loving bond.
What does Mary's heart symbolize? ›
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a devotional name used to refer to the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her joys and sorrows, her virtues and perfections, her love for God, and her Divine Son and her compassionate love for mankind.
What is the only approved Marian apparition in the United States? ›Visit Us. Find refuge and spiritual healing on the peaceful, sacred grounds where the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele Brise in 1859, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help is the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the United States.
How many apparitions of Mary have there been? ›Out of the 386 apparitions, the Church has decided that "yes" there is a supernatural character only in eight cases: Fatima (Portugal), Beauraing (Belgium), Banneux (Belgium), Akita (Japan), Syracuse (Italy), Zeitoun (Egypt), Manila (Philippines) (according to some sources), and Betania (Venezuela).
Who is the angel under Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›Its representation is not of a cherub, but of that of a young Eagle Warrior belonging to the Aztec army, known as "Soldiers of the Sun." The angel is also said to represent Juan Diego, whose native name was "Cuauhtlatoatzin," meaning "Eagle who speaks."
Do Catholics believe in Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›Catholics Honor Virgin Of Guadalupe For Feast Day Today Catholics across the Americas celebrate the 'Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. ' The faithful believe that on this day in 1531, an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared in Mexico City, in the form of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Does the Catholic Church recognize Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated every year on Dec. 12. According to Catholic tradition, the virgin appeared to the indigenous Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. Then canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
Where is the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›In the original image, still enshrined in the basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City today, Guadalupe averts her gaze and clasps her hands together in piety.
What is the Our Lady of Guadalupe controversy? ›In 2001, visual artist Alma Lopez generated controversy with her rendering of Our Lady of Guadalupe in her familiar pose, wearing a bikini made of roses. Angry crowds protested museums and universities where the digital artwork was exhibited, claiming it disrespected Catholics and a sacred image.
What happened after Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared? ›Mary then appeared a second time to Juan Diego and ordered him to collect roses. In a second audience with the bishop, Juan Diego opened his cloak, letting dozens of roses fall to the floor and revealing the image of Mary imprinted on the inside of the cloak—the image that is now venerated in the Basilica of Guadalupe.
What was the last prophecy of Fatima? ›The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.
What is the last message of Fatima? ›
Thus despite its violent imagery and its strong warning tone, the Fatima message concludes with a note of confidence: "my Immaculate Heart will triumph." "To understand the signs of the times," the cardinal writes, "means to accept the urgency of penance, of conversion, of faith.
What is the final secret of Fatima? ›The Third Secret of Fatima was finally disclosed in 2000, on the day of the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The third secret was a vision of the persecution of Christians and, in particular, the attack on 'a Bishop dressed in white'.
How many apparitions of Jesus are there? ›According to the priest Salvatore M. Perrella of the Marianum Pontifical Institute in Rome, this is the 12th Marian apparition approved by the Holy See from a total of 295 that have been studied through the centuries.
Do Catholics believe in apparitions? ›The Catholic Church believes that it is possible for actually-supernatural Marian apparitions to occur, but also believes that many claimed apparitions are fabricated by the seer or the result of something other than divine intervention.
What is the purpose of the apparitions? ›3 - The purposes of apparitions is to enliven faith, for the purpose of conversion, and to give a needed message to God's people.
What was the warning of Fatima? ›In the second, she warned that World War I would be followed by a far worse conflict unless people stopped "offending God." She called for the "consecration of Russia to my immaculate heart"; otherwise, Russia would "spread her errors throughout the world."
Is America Needs Fatima approved by the Catholic Church? ›...
America Needs Fatima.
| Formation | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Founder | C. Preston Noell, III |
| Type | 501(c)(3) Charity |
| Purpose | Spread religious devotion to Our Lady of Fatima in the United States |
Mary's tears have special significance for Catholics: She cries not only over the sins of the world, but also over the pain she endured in her earthly life, referred to as “the seven sorrows of Mary.” These sorrows, which include the crucifixion and death of Jesus, are depicted by seven swords piercing Mary's flaming ...
What is Jesus's star? ›The story of the Star of Bethlehem appears only in the Book of Matthew. The gospel tells us that a bright star appeared in the eastern sky when Jesus was born, famously seen by a group of wise men. These biblical "Magi," sometimes called kings, now adorn nativity scenes around the world.
What religion worships the stars? ›Astrotheology, astral mysticism, astral religion, astral or stellar theology (also referred to as astral or star worship) is the worship of the stars (individually or together as the night sky), the planets, and other heavenly bodies as deities, or the association of deities with heavenly bodies.
Why is Mary called the Morning star? ›
According to Catholic tradition, the title of Morning Star is given to the Blessed Mother of our Lord. Just as the morning star announces the coming of the day, appearing in the sky and reflecting the light of the sun, "Mary appeared on the horizon of salvation history before Christ,"1 and shows us the way to Him.
What is Mary's color? ›In paintings, Mary is traditionally portrayed in blue. This tradition can trace its origin to the Byzantine Empire, from circa 500 AD, where blue was "the color of an empress".
Why is Mary's veil purple? ›The Protoevangelium goes on to tell how at the age of 12, Mary left the Temple and was betrothed to Joseph, and was chosen to spin the purple and scarlet thread for the new Temple veil: purple, that rarest, most expensive colour, foreshadowed the kingship of Jesus; and red, the colour of blood and humanity.
What is the color that represents Heaven? ›The light of the Trinity, which suffuses the mind in the highest forms of prayer, is sapphire blue, the colour of heaven.
What is the flower for Mary? ›The lily of the valley was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary's Immaculate Conception and represented the purity of body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.
What are the four symbols of Mary? ›Columbine – symbol of the dove of the Holy Spirit, Mary's overshadowing, indwelling, divine Spouse. Pansy – "Trinity Flower", symbol of the Trinity, first revealed to Mary. Strawberry – "Fruitful Virgin", in flower and fruit at the same time. Everlasting – symbol of Mary's eternal loving mediation in heaven.
Why is the red rose a symbol of Mary? ›Roses represent the Virgin Mary
Roses were associated with Mary from early times. The thirteenth century Saint Dominic is credited with spreading the familiar devotion called the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a series of prayers to Our Lady, symbolised by garlands of roses worn in Heaven.
In 1792, Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, consecrated the United States to Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception. In 1846, bishops attending the Sixth Provincial Council in Baltimore chose Mary under that title as the country's patroness.
What is the most visited Marian shrine in the world? ›The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, in Portugal, is one of the most famous Marian shrines in the world.
Has the Virgin Mary appeared in the USA? ›Finally, please note that, to date, no Marian apparition reported in the United States has received formal approval from the Catholic Church.
What is the most famous apparition of Mary? ›
Our Lady of Lourdes
A 14-year-old shepherd girl named Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing Mary appear to her while she was out gathering firewood in the countryside. Mary identified herself as "the Immaculate Conception" and told Bernadette of the location of a spring, promising miraculous healings from its waters.
The Three Marys (also spelled Maries) are women mentioned in the canonical gospels' narratives of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, several of whom were, or have been considered by Christian tradition, to have been named Mary (the most common name for Jewish women of the period).
What was Mary's real name Bible? ›The correct spelling is "Myriam." Myriam represents the Hebrew Old Testament version of Mary's name. In Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus, Joseph and Mary, Mary is called Maryam. The Greek translation of the Old Testament calls her Mariam, whereas with New Testament Greek she is Maria.
What was Mary's father's last name? ›| Saint Joachim | |
|---|---|
| Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Virgin Mary | |
| Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Confessor | |
| Born | c. 75 BC Nazareth, Hasmonean Judea |
| Died | c. 15 BC Jerusalem, Herodian Kingdom of Judea |
Joseph (Hebrew: יוסף, romanized: Yosef; Greek: Ἰωσήφ, romanized: Ioséph) was a 1st-century Jewish man of Nazareth who, according to the canonical Gospels, was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and was the legal father of Jesus.
What is Our Lady of Guadalupe most known for? ›The Virgin of Guadalupe is considered the Patroness of Mexico and the Continental Americas; she is also venerated by Native Americans, on the account of the devotion calling for the conversion of the Americas.
What was Mary's message in Guadalupe? ›The Virgin said to Juan Diego: “Listen and understand, my littlest son, let nothing frighten and afflict you or trouble your heart … Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow? Am I not your health?
What does Virgen de Guadalupe symbolize? ›Radiating from La Virgen de Guadalupe are sun rays representing the power of God, as well as the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli, the sun god. She stands on a crescent moon, representing her power over the Aztec god of darkness, as well as the image of the Immaculate Conception.
What are 3 facts about Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›She is human, not God. She is wearing a blue-green mantle (the color worn by royalty) covered with stars. The stars signify she comes from heaven - the Queen of Heaven. The constellations are in the exact position as appeared before dawn on the morning of December 12, 1531.
What is Mary's main message in her apparition? ›During the apparitions, Mary told the children to pray the Rosary each day to bring peace to the world and to bring an end to the war. She asks them to pray for the conversion of Russia, to do penance and that God wanted the world to have a devotion to Her Immaculate Heart.
Is Our Lady of Guadalupe a Marian apparition? ›
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Spanish Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe, in Roman Catholicism, the Virgin Mary in her appearance before St. Juan Diego in a vision in 1531. The name also refers to the Marian apparition itself.
Why was Mary's yes so important? ›Mary, on the other hand, said yes to God. At the Annunciation, Mary said to the Angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Through this yes, the Savior of the human race entered the world, and death was defeated.
Why is the moon under Mary's feet? ›The crescent moon is used in representations of Mary's miraculous conception and birth (Joachim and Anna at the Golden Door, da Camerino, Tadino, ~1470). The crescent appears under Mary's feet in paintings of the Assumption (Meister of the Luzien-Legende, 1485) and signifies her glory and victory over time and space.
What color represents Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›The mantle of the Lady is blue-green or turquoise. To the native people, this was the color of the gods and of royalty. It was also the color of the natural forces of life and fecundity. In Christian art, blue is symbolic of eternity and immortality.
Why do Mexicans celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe? ›This celebration commemorates the appearance of Mary to the Mexican peasant Juan Diego in 1531. The feast day is an important holiday in Mexico. It has also become an important day for Mexican Americans to celebrate their religious and cultural identity.
Is veneration of Mary idolatry? ›It's easy to see the way Catholics view Mary and assume there must be something sinister going on. From a distance, it certainly looks a lot like idolatry. But the truth of the matter is that Catholics' veneration of Mary stems directly from the Bible's teachings and precedents.
Why do they call her Guadalupe? ›The name became famous as a result of a 16th-century Marian apparition and associated pilgrimage site, located in a town called Guadalupe near the source of the Guadalupe river.