Our Lady of Guadalupe
Feast Day: December 12
“Am I not here, I who am your mother?” – Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego
The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12, honors the miraculous appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac, near present-day Mexico City. This beloved title of Mary is a powerful reminder of her maternal care, her closeness to the poor and humble, and her desire to lead all people to her Son, Jesus Christ.
A Mother Appears to Her Children
In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared multiple times to Juan Diego, an indigenous convert to the Catholic faith. Speaking in his native language of Nahuatl, she revealed herself as the Mother of God and requested that a church be built on the site of her apparition so she could show her love, compassion, and protection to all people.
When Juan Diego presented her request to the local bishop, the bishop asked for a sign to confirm the authenticity of the apparition.
The Miracle of the Tilma
In response, Our Lady instructed Juan Diego to gather Castilian roses, miraculously blooming on the barren, rocky hill in winter. Juan carried the flowers in his tilma, a simple cactus-fiber cloak, and presented them to the bishop. When he opened the tilma, the flowers fell to the ground, and miraculously imprinted on the fabric was the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, just as she had appeared to Juan Diego.
The image remains intact to this day, defying scientific explanation, and is displayed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.
A Message of Love and Unity
Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared as a mestiza woman, blending both Spanish and indigenous features, a powerful sign that the Gospel was meant for all people—native and European alike. Her message emphasized her closeness to the poor, the suffering, and the humble, offering her protection and intercession.
Her appearance led to the conversion of millions of people in the Americas to the Catholic faith in a remarkably short period of time.
Patroness of the Americas and the Unborn
Our Lady of Guadalupe is honored as the Patroness of the Americas, the Patroness of Mexico, and the Patroness of the Unborn. Her loving message continues to inspire devotion, hope, and faith among millions of Catholics around the world.
A Mother for All People
The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds the faithful that Mary is the tender, loving Mother of all humanity. Her constant message is one of compassion, unity, and the call to trust in her Son, Jesus Christ.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!