About Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Bringing Christ's light to the world by seeking justice and peace for all peoples

On December 9, 1531, St. Juan Diego was walking to Mass along Tepeyac Hill when a beautiful young woman appeared to him, sometimes referred to as la Virgen Morena. Our Lady addressed St. Juan Diego as her son and revealed to him that she is the perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Our Blessed Mother requested that St. Juan Diego go to the bishop and ask for a chapel in her honor to build on Tepeyac Hill. She shared with St. Juan Diego that she was the Mother of the People, and she wanted to share her compassion, protection, and love with the people of Mexico. 

St. Juan Diego went to Bishop Zumarraga, who had skepticism of the validity of his claims. St. Juan Diego returned to Tepeyac Hill to report the rejection, which Our Mother asked him to try again. In St. Juan Diego's second attempt, Bishop Zumarraga asked for proof of the apparition of Our Lady. St. Juan Diego reported back to Our Blessed Mother, who asked him to come back for a sign to show the Bishop. 

St. Juan Diego returned two days later, on December 12. When he arrived at Tepeyac Hill, Our Lady encouraged him, saying, "Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depresses you. Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also, do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety, or pain. Am I not here, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need?"

Our Blessed Mother then directed St. Juan Diego to the top of Tepeyac Hill to collect flowers as a sign for Bishop Zumarraga. St. Juan Diego was skeptical since it was winter in Mexico, and the hill was barren. When he reached the top of the hill, there was an abundance of roses. Mary arranged the roses in his tilma (poncho), and then he set out to show Bishop Zumarraga. When he arrived at the Bishop, he opened his poncho, and on his garment was the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Bishop Zumarraga wept at the sight of Our Lady of Guadalupe and laid St. Juan Diego's garment in his chapel. By Christmas of 1531, an adobe structure was built on top of Tepeyac Hill in honor of Our Blessed Mother. 

"All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship." The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 971)

On December 12, we celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Americas and Star of the New Evangelization. In the days leading up to December 12 there are parades, processions, dancing, and Mass.

Diocesan Celebrations:
This year is the 10th annual celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Diocese of Austin celebrates the first Saturday of December, so that parishes can do their local celebrations on Decemebr 12th. 

This year, the Diocese of Austin is hosting a 3 mile procession from St. Mary's Cathedral to San Jose Catholic Church. At San Jose we will celebrate Mass with Bishop Joe Vásquez, followed by traditional dancing and musical presentations in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Diocese is richly blessed with a variety of cultural traditions, and linguistic and ethnic groups. It is a beautiful gift to honor cultural traditions in celebration of our Blessed Mother.

Due to the pre-Hispanic appearance of the dancers, one could think of their Nahuatl origin. However, there is ample evidence that this tradition came from Europe in the fifteenth century. This tradition arose long before the Spanish colonized Mexico's territory. In it, the original cultures offered their dance to the gods. When the Spaniards saw the religious dances of the natives, their fast and vigorous movements, and their colorful clothing, they remembered the European matachines and thus called the Mexican dancers. In Mexico, it is the most widespread religious dance among the indigenous groups of the country's north, and its introduction can be attributed to the missionary groups. Later, as evangelization advanced after the fall of Tenochtitlan, this tradition survived by mixing with the Catholic rites established in New Spain. A process is similar to the one that gave rise to the representation of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The clothing represents the pre-Hispanic past, with the Aztec warriors who were prepared for the ritual of going to war. The plume stands out, with goose feathers, so everyone knows the dancer. They hang beards. They dress in shirts, pants, and some special huaraches that carry a sheet that generates a particular sound. The accessories are complemented with a rattle, whose sound shows that we are at war and not afraid. They have a bow, which is the primary weapon. The dance is with monotonous jumps and slow steps. It is in groups and with a military appearance.