The Virgin of Guadalupe

December 11th and 12th
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History 

In 1531 there were approximately 100 native Mexicans who considered themselves Christians. The Spanish missionaries who devoted their lives to converting the Mexicans must have begun to believe that this land was simply not going to "see the light" of their savior with the European countenance.

Against this backdrop, one of the 100, Juan Diego was stopped on a hilltop walk (through Sacred Aztec ground) by a white light and music. A vision appeared of a dark skinned woman who identified herself as the Virgin Mary and asked Juan to tell Bishop Juan de Zumarraga that a church should be built on the spot where she appeared.

The Bishop was skeptical of Juan's request and asked for proof which Juan went in search of.  On December 12, the Virgin appeared again and asked Juan to pick roses from the hillside he was crossing. Juan held his flowers in his cloak as he went to visit the bishop. When he dropped the flowers out of his cloak for the Bishop, the Bishop and Juan were the first to view the imprint of the face of the Virgin. 

The shroud is now housed in a small basilica on the very spot the Virgin originally requested a church be built. Within a short period of time, millions of Mexicans converted to a religion that witnessed miracles from a dark skinned woman on sacred ground.

Today..

Pilgrimages to the basilica are only part of the yearly celebration of Our lady of Guadalupe. Festivals, crafts, food, masks and a rodeo complete the days celebrations.  The festivities vary from city to city.  In the days preceding the annual feast day of the virgin somewhere  between 7 and 8 million people will have trekked from all parts of Mexico  -- and beyond -- via plane, bus, bicycle and on foot to gather at the Basilica and the surrounding plaza in a northern suburb of Mexico city.  Some seek miracles others thank the virgin for miracles already performed.   

Most come dressed in the clothes they were wearing when its time to go, while others get dressed in elaborate customs that they have prepared especially for this march.   Some dress their children up in outfits like Juan Diego wore when he first saw the Virgin.  But young and old they all walk to honor the Virgin. 

The Zocolo or area in front of the cathedral  is transformed into a huge carnival with booths selling food, trinkets and lots of photography booths.  These booths have different backgrounds and some have toy donkeys,  realistic looking donkeys and sometimes even real donkeys that the little kiddies get on and have their pictures taken.   Its a real mixture of tourists gawking, religious devotion, a good time, something different to do, mommy made me and party time.  All rolled up into a festival that only the Mexicans could put on.  

Most of the people just stream into front door of the church, get blessed by the priests who are really running an assembly line and out the side door.  It sounds crude, but then they have thousands waiting outside to get in.  They walk around and then head back home where they have a big party, with traditionally Pazzoli, beer and other party foods to celebrate another good year. 

Its really quite interesting and something to see.  I took some pictures at last years festival that really do not do justice to this big event.  But it might give you a bit of an idea of what goes on.  This is one night I look forward to every year. 

Most of the parties and marches are  on the day before or the eve of the Feast Day.   The next day many of the business's,  most govt. offices and most of the schools are closed.   Its an unofficial holiday.   Besides its hard to work after a night of partying.  If you live anywhere near a church or main street its almost impossible to sleep the night before as pilgrams explode fireworks all night long as they march to the Virgin.