Apariciones de la "Virgen de Guadalupe" 2022 | © Colegio Miguel Ángel Taxco A. C.

The Miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Introduction to the Story

• This narrative recounts a significant miracle that occurred nearly 500 years ago in Mexico City, involving Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego, symbolizing God's love for His people.

• The story highlights the importance of Juan Diego as a messenger of hope during a time when Mexico was under Spanish conquest.

Contextual Background

• During this period, Spanish priests were attempting to evangelize Indigenous peoples while soldiers exploited them, creating a challenging environment for spreading messages of love and forgiveness.

• Juan Diego, originally named Coatlatoatzin (meaning "talking eagle" in Nahuatl), belonged to the impoverished class of the Aztec Empire and was among the first natives to convert to Catholicism.

Juan Diego's Early Life

• After his wife's death, Juan Diego moved in with his elderly uncle, Bernardino, at age 57. He regularly attended mass in Tlatelolco on weekends despite long walks barefoot through cold mornings.

The Encounter with the Virgin Mary

• On December 9, 1531, while walking to church, Juan Diego heard beautiful birdsong and encountered a radiant woman who identified herself as the Virgin Mary. She requested that he build her a temple where she could offer comfort and support to those who seek her help.

• Mary instructed him to approach the Bishop of Mexico as her messenger with this request. Despite his initial disbelief about being chosen for such an important task, he agreed to fulfill her wishes.

First Meeting with the Bishop

• Upon meeting Bishop Zumárraga and relaying Mary's message in detail, he faced skepticism; the bishop asked him to return another day for further discussion. This left Juan Diego feeling disheartened as he felt dismissed by someone so important.

Second Visit and Challenges Faced

• Returning to Tepeyac Hill after being turned away by the bishop made Juan Diego feel inadequate; however, Mary reassured him that he was chosen for this mission despite his humble status. She urged him to try again with the bishop on another day.

Persistence in Faith

• On Sunday morning after attending mass again, Juan Diego approached Bishop Zumárraga once more but still faced doubt from him regarding Mary's request without proof or evidence supporting it. The bishop demanded a sign before taking action on her request.

A Test of Faith

• Encouraged by Mary’s promise that she would provide proof for the bishop's belief in her message, Juan returned home only to find his uncle gravely ill; thus prioritizing family over his divine mission momentarily became necessary for him.

Divine Intervention

• As he sought out a priest for his uncle’s last rites on December 12th early morning hours near Tepeyac Hill—attempting not to encounter Mary—she appeared before him again offering reassurance about his uncle's health and instructing him on gathering flowers as proof for the bishop's faith confirmation later that day.(524)

The Encounter with the Virgin Mary

Juan Diego's Initial Meeting

• María greets Juan Diego with beautiful and affectionate words, revealing her deep love for him. Despite his initial reluctance to meet her, he is moved by her kindness.

• After their encounter, María instructs Juan Diego to gather flowers from a celestial garden as a sign to present to the bishop, emphasizing the importance of this task.

The Presentation of Flowers

• Upon returning home, Juan Diego requests an audience with the bishop but is met with skepticism from the servants who doubt his claims.

• With immense joy, Juan Diego presents the flowers to the bishop. As they fall from his tilma, they reveal an image of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, astonishing everyone present.

Bishop's Reaction and Next Steps

• The bishop expresses regret for not believing earlier and asks Juan Diego to stay until he can determine where to build a temple in honor of Mary.

• The next day, after showing the designated location for the temple, Juan Diego visits his sick uncle who has also experienced healing through Mary's intercession.

Legacy and Impact

• Following these events, Juan Diego dedicates his life to sharing stories about Mary's appearances among the Aztec people until his death at 74 years old in 1548.

• This miraculous event leads millions of indigenous people to embrace Christianity, marking a significant shift in faith within their community.

Significance of Mary's Message

• Pope Benedict highlights that Mary's message brings hope and reassures believers that she watches over them and guides them towards Jesus. The tilma remains unchanged as a symbol of this divine connection.