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Living Liturgically: Creating a Domestic Church
December 12
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Mexico City, December 1531
Mary first appeared to St. Juan Diego on December 9. She appeared to him again on December 12, instructing him to collect the flowers he would find on a nearby hill, even though it was winter. These flowers were the proof that persuaded the local Bishop that St. Juan Diego was speaking the truth about Mary's apparition and request. The flowers tumbled from St. Juan's apron and an image of Mary of Guadalupe, as she appeared to the man, was imprinted on his apron. She appeared two more times to St. Juan, and once to his uncle.
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St. Juan Diego was an indigenous Mexican peasant, and an important member of his community. His feast day is December 9, the date of Mary's first appearance to him.
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St. Juan Diego became a hermit after these events, dedicating his life to prayer.
Did you know?
The word Guadalupe is Spanish, but St. Juan Diego did not speak Spanish. He spoke his native Aztek language called Nahuatl. There is a church in Spain called Our Lady of Guadalupe. Christopher Columbus was a devotee of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It remains unclear why the Virgin of Mexico was given the title Our Lady of Guadalupe.