Today we celebrate the 485th anniversary of The Virgin Mary appearing to Juan Diego outside of Mexico City. Mary so often appears to humble and soft spoken hearts. Juan Diego is no exception to this. He was a newly converted Aztec Indian who was startled and a bit perplexed when Mary appeared to him in December of 1531. Mary's messages were quite clear, and the impact they had on his heart became evident immediately. Our Lady wanted Juan Diego to take a message to the bishop asking for there to be a chapel erected in her honor. The bishop asks for proof of the vision. If you have been Catholic long enough, you know how the rest of the story goes. Mary instructs Juan Diego to go to the top of the hill in Tepeyac and asks him to gather roses in his tilma. Upon seeing the bishop again, Juan Diego opens his tilma and the roses fall out revealing the beautiful image that has beguiled all who study it today. The bishop falls down on his knees, and Mary gets her chapel.
In 485 years the image has not deteriorated in color and has not shown any signs of wear or aging. The miracles contained in this image have been studied by theologians, historians, and even scientists, all trying to discover how this is possible. Simply put, as Catholics, we know it is possible because of Mary and our belief in The Holy Trinity. It is a miracle, which by definition, is something that defies natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of Divine nature.
The impact of Mary appearing to Juan Diego was epic concerning the effect it had upon the spread of Catholicism in Mexico. Because of this beautiful and miraculous event, Catholicism is now intrinsically woven into the culture and spirit of the Mexican people. Bishop Robert Barron states the following in a recent article regarding the impact that this appearance had regarding the mass conversion to Christianity that followed:
"But within ten years of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, practically the entire Mexican people, nine million strong, converted to Christianity. La Morena had proved a more effective evangelist than Peter, Paul, St. Patrick, and St. Francis Xavier combined! And with that great national conversion, human sacrifice came to an end. She had done battle with fallen spirits and had won a culture-changing victory for the God of love."
I will leave you with a translation of the words that Mary spoke to Juan Diego on the occasions they met during those four days in December of 1531. These words were shared with me by a friend today, and they brought a great deal of comfort.
"Hear and let it penetrate into your heart ... 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 you need?"
Listen to the words of our Blessed Mother and let her hold you under her shadow and protection. Pray to her. She understands your heart.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us
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