Our Lady of Guadalupe



Last week I was on vacation to Cancun, Mexico, so I thought I would have my sub show the movie of Juan Diego and talk about the imagery of the Tilma. 

According to Catholic tradition, on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego had a vision of a young woman while he was on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City. The lady asked him to build a church exactly on the spot where they were standing. He told the local Bishop who asked for proof in exchange.

Juan Diego went back later and saw the lady again. He told her that the bishop wanted proof, and she instructed Juan Diego to go to the mountain top, where he found roses, which were native to the Bishop's hometown and could not possibly bloom during wintertime. Juan Diego cut the roses, placed them in his apron-like tilma and returned to the bishop; an imprint of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared on the tilma from the residue of the soil and roses.

Today, the icon is displayed in the nearby Basilica of Guadalupe, now one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.  My mother in-law was lucky enough to see the Tilma when she was vacation in Mexico.  She said the pilgrims climbed the steps on their knees to show their respect for the Tilma. 

The students enjoyed served salsa and chips while they watched the movie.