Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12 The Virgin of Guadalupe Fiesta

Before Christmas, the people of Mexico join together for the festivities of La Virgen de Guadalupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on December 12, one of the most important dates in the Mexican calendar. Thousands of people from all over the country make the pilgrimage to the Basílica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, where the miraculous image of la Virgen Morena is kept. They have their their hearts set on seeing la Morenita — our Lady of Guadalupe.  Click here for more about the festival and here and here for more about the Virgin of Guadalupe.

According to tradition, Juan Diego, an indigenous peasant, saw a vision of a young woman on December 9, 1531, while he was on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City, Mexico. He told the local bishop, who asked for some proof. Three days later, the image of Mary appeared miraculously on his cloak when he was showing it to the bishop. Today the cloak is displayed in the Basilica of Guadalupe nearby, one of the most visited Catholic shrines in the world.

The Virgin of Guadalupe is Mexico’s most popular religious and cultural image, with the titles “Queen of Mexico”, “Empress of the Americas”, and “Patroness of the Americas”; both Miguel Hidalgo (in the Mexican War of Independence) and Emiliano Zapata (during the Mexican Revolution) carried flags bearing the Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Guadalupe Victoria, the first Mexican president changed his name in honor of the icon.

KJ