Cultural Trivia: The Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Did you know that the world’s most popular Catholic pilgrimage site is located in Mexico? Each year millions of people come from all over the globe to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the Virgin Mary) in Mexico City to see the holy image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531, the Virgin appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico City and asked him to convey to the bishop her wish that a church should be erected on Tepeyac Hill. As proof of the divine encounter, the Virgin directed Diego to pick roses from the hillside and take them to the bishop. These roses, which are not native to the region, would have been miraculous enough in themselves. They were not the only evidence Diego brought, however, for when he opened his cloak to reveal the flowers to the bishop, a stunning image of the Virgin had been imprinted on the cloth. On Wednesday, December 12, people all across the country will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Countless parishes across Mexico stage elaborate processions in the days leading up to December