Celebrating 470 years of an ongoing miracle, the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe 1531

Catholic History | 12 12 2001 | Cap'n Crunch

[Cap'n Crunch]

In the year 1531 in Mexico, the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a peasant who was converting to Catholicism. It was the 9th of December, the original feast day of the Immaculate Conception, when Juan Diego was on his way to the Church for instruction and to hear Holy Mass. Juan heard someone calling him "Juanito...Juan Dieguito." Juan Diego looked to the top of Tepeyac Hill and saw a lady of overpowering brillance and beauty, who's garments shone like the sun. She appeared to be about 14 years old.

The Lady introduced herself in these words: "Know for certain, dearest of my sons, that I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God, through whom everything lives, the Lord of all things, who is Master of Heaven and Earth. I ardently desire that a temple be built here for me where I will show and offer all my love, my compassion, my help and my protection to the people. I am your merciful Mother, the Mother of all who live united in this land, and of all mankind, of all those who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who have confidence in me. Here I will hear there weeping and sorrows, and will remedy and alleviate their sufferings, necessites and misfortunes." She told Juan Diego to go the Bishop Zumarraga and tell him what he had seen and heard.

Juan Diego bowed reverently and said "My Holy One, my Lady, I will do what you ask of me."

Bishop Zumarraga had been sent by Spain to the New World to convert and instruct the native people. At that time in Mexico human sacrifice to the gods Quetelcoatl and Coatlicue, and various other pagan gods were occuring, as many as 20,000 victims would be sacrificed at the dedication of a temple.

Bishope Zumarraga had not been having much success converting the Aztec and native people and distrust and anger was spreading amongst the two. He had been praying to God for assistance and a sign, the sign was that of roses. Roses would be the sign that Bishop Zumarraga wanted in order to know that he was doing the right thing. But now it was December and roses were not blooming.

Juan Diego arrived and was greeted by the Bishop. The Bishop welcomed him warmly but upon hearing his story dismissed him pleasantly. Juan Diego thought he had failed and after hearing Mass and instruction returned to his home.

Our Lady appeared to him again, asking him if he had had success with the Bishop. Juan told Our Lady that he did not think the Bishop believed him and that perhasps she should send someone of greater importance. Our Lady smiled at Juan Diego, telling him that she had chosen him to be the deliverer of the message and urged him to return to the Bishop the next day and again make the request.

Juan Diego did return the next day and again gave the Bishop the message. Bishop Zumarraga was surprised to see Juan Diego again so soon. He questioned him a bit at length and again dismissed him. Now he wondered if there were something too Juans message. Before dismissing Juan Diego the Bishop told Juan that he needed a sign from the Lady to be convinced. Juan asked the Bishop what kind of sign he would like and he would tell the Lady the Bishops reequest. The Bishop told Juan that he would leave the sign up to the Lady to deliver.

On his way back home Juan Diego again encountered Our Lady. He told her that the Bishop had requested a sign but did not say what the sign should be. Our Lady told Juan: "That is very well,my little son, return here tomorrow and you will have the sign he requested." She also told him that he would be rewarded for all he had done on her behalf.

When Dec. 11th came Juan Diegos uncle, Juan Bernardino, was gravely ill and Juan Diego stayed by his side and did not go to the Bishop. All night he prayed and attended to his uncle until the morning of the 12th when his uncle took a turn for the worse. Juan wanted to get a priest to enable his uncle to recieve the sacraments before he died.

Juan now had a dilemma, if he went past Tepeyac hill he was sure to encounter the Lady. He wanted to get the priest in order to bring him to his uncle before he died but did not want to disappoint Our Lady so he decided to go around the other side of Tepeyac hill. He thought that surely Our Lady would understand.

As Juan Diego tried to duck Our Lady he was suddenly intercepted by her, as she called out to him "What is the matter my little son?" "Where are you going?" Juan explained to the Lady "Noble Lady, it will grieve you to hear what I have to say. My uncle, your poor servant, is very sick. He is suffering from the plague and is dying. I am hurrying to the Church in Mexico City to call a priest to here his confession and give him the last rites. When I have done this, I will return here immediately to convey your message." "Please forgive me and be patient with me. I am not decieving you. I promise to faithfully come here tomorrow with all haste."

There was a pause. Our Lady looked at Juan Diego and uttered the words that have rung down through nearly 5 centuries. "Listen and let it penetrate your heart, my dear little son, do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. 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 you need?" She then assured Juan that his uncle would not die from his illeness and at this very moment was cured.

She told Juan to go to the top of Tepeyac Hill and pick as many flowers as he could carry and bring them down to her. Juan climbed the hill and could not believe the multitude of Castilian Roses blooming on the top. They were blooming out of season. He gathered as many as he could carry and brought them down to Our Lady, who arranged them in his tilma (poncho made of cactus plant fibers. Our Lady arranged them and folded them up in Juans tilma. She told him that this was the sign that the Bishop wanted and to take them to him.

Juan Diego finally got in to see the Bishop with his bundle. The Bishop recieved Juan and Juan told him the following. "Your Excellency, I obeyed your instructions, very early this morning, the celestial Lady told me to come and see you again. I asked for the sign which you requested and which she had promised to give me. She told me to climb to the top of the hill where I had previously seen her, to pick the flowers growing there. I knew quite well that the summit of the hill was no place for flowers to grow, especially this time of year, but I did not doubt her word. When I reached the top, I was astonised to find myself surrounded by beautiful flowers. I plucked as many as I could carry and brought them back to her. She arranged them with her own hands and replaced them in my robe in order that I might bring them to you. Here they are. Behold, recieve them." With that Juan Diego released the ends of his tilma and the flowers, mingled with Castillian Roses, cascaded to the floor in a profusion of colour and perfume.

Zumarraga gazed speechless at the roses, the sign that he had been praying for peace in the country. Full of wonder he lifted his eyes back up to Juan Diego to find that the tilma now had an image of Our Lady appearing on it.

From that day, December 12th 1531, the tilma has survived, miraculously. At that time 8 million Mexicans and Aztec Indians converted to Catholicism. The human sacrifice to the pagan gods ceased.

For nearly 500 years there have been miracles through Our Lady and the tilma. Scientists have studied it, socialist revolutionaries tried to destroy it, there have been volumes written about the tilma, which is very much like the Shroud of Turin.

On this feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which means to the Aztecs "she who crushes the head of the serpent" I would urge you to read the story, say some special prayers to Our Lady, particularly to end the human sacrifice of abortion in this country.

[agrace]

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm sure you are correct in saying that Catholics and Protestants have a different perspective...evidenced by the fact that I still disagree with you. :) Anyway, I appreciate the dialogue. Have a good weekend!

[j.havenfarm]

Amen, friend.

[Gophack]

poor Joseph....bad enough that his fiance is pregant and not by him...but after Jesus is born...he still doesn't get any? thats unjust.

Many people make sacrifices for God. Abstaining from sex is but a minor one.

[giotto]

From http://www.zeitun-eg.org/zenit01011420.htm :

Science Stunned by Virgin of Guadalupe´s Eyes

Engineer Sees a Reflection, Literally, From a Scene in 1531

ROME, JAN. 14, 2001 (ZENIT.org). Digital technology is giving new leads in understanding a phenomenon that continues to puzzle science: the mysterious eyes of the image of Virgin of Guadalupe.

The image, imprinted on the tilma of a 16th-century peasant, led millions of indigenous Indians in Mexico to convert to the Catholic faith. Last week in Rome, results of research into the famed image were discussed by engineer José Aste Tonsmann of the Mexican Center of Guadalupan Studies during a conference at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

For over 20 years, this graduate of environmental systems engineering of Cornell University has studied the image of the Virgin left on the rough maguey fiber fabric of Juan Diego’s tilma. What intrigued Tonsmann the most were the eyes of the Virgin.

Though the dimensions are microscopic, the iris and the pupils of the image’s eyes have imprinted on them a highly detailed picture of at least 13 people, Tonsmann said. The same people are present in both the left and right eyes, in different proportions, as would happen when human eyes reflect the objects before them.

Tonsmann says he believes the reflection transmitted by the eyes of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the scene on Dec. 9, 1531, during which Juan Diego showed his tilma, with the image, to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga and others present in the room.

In his research, Tonsmann used a digital process used by satellites and space probes in transmitting visual information.

He insists that the image "that has not been painted by human hand." As early as the 18th century, scientists showed that it was impossible to paint such an image in a fabric of that texture. The "ayate" fibers used by the Indians, in fact, deteriorated after 20 years. Yet, the image and the fabric it is imprinted on have lasted almost 470 years ago.

Tonsmann pointed out that Richard Kuhn, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, has found that the image did not have natural, animal or mineral colorings. Given that there were no synthetic colorings in 1531, the image is inexplicable.

In 1979, Americans Philip Callahan and Jody B. Smith studied the image with infrared rays and discovered to their surprise that there was no trace of paint and that the fabric had not been treated with any kind of technique.

"[How] it is possible to explain this image and its consistency in time without colors, on a fabric that has not been treated?" Tonsmann asked. "[How] is it possible that, despite the fact there is no paint, the colors maintain their luminosity and brilliance?"

Tonsmann, a Peruvian engineer, added, "Callahan and Smith showed how the image changes in color slightly according to the angle of viewing, a phenomenon that is known by the word iridescence, a technique that cannot be reproduced with human hands."

The scientist began his study in 1979. He magnified the iris of the Virgin’s eyes 2,500 times and, through mathematical and optical procedures, was able to identify all the people imprinted in the eyes.

The eyes reflect the witnesses of the Guadalupan miracle, the moment Juan Diego unfurled his tilma before the bishop, according to Tonsmann. In other words, the Virgin’s eyes have the reflection that would have been imprinted in the eyes of any person in her position.

In the eyes, Tonsmann believes, it is possible to discern a seated Indian, who is looking up to the heavens; the profile of a balding, elderly man with a white beard, much like the portrait of Bishop Zumárraga, painted by Miguel Cabrera, to depict the miracle; and a younger man, in all probability interpreter Juan González.

Also present, Tonsmann believes, is an Indian, likely Juan Diego, of striking features, with a beard and mustache, who unfolds his own tilma before the bishop; a woman of dark complexion, possibly a Negro slave who was in the bishop’s service; and a man with Spanish features who looks on pensively, stroking his beard with his hand.

In a word, the Virgin’s eyes bear a kind of instant picture of what occurred at the moment the image was unveiled in front of the bishop, Tonsmann says.

Moreover, in the center of the pupils, on a much more reduced scale, another scene can be perceived, independent of the first, the scientist contends. It is that of an Indian family made up of a woman, a man and several children. In the right eye, other people who are standing appear behind the woman.

Tonsmann ventured to express why he believes the Virgin’s eyes have a "hidden" message for modern times, when technology is able to discover it. "This could be the case of the picture of the family in the center of the Virgin’s eye," he says, "at a time when the family is under serious attack in our modern world."

ZE01011420

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[bonfire]

I have been reading this discussion on and off all day. I grew up in suburbs of Cleveland and many (most) of my friends were Catholic. My first vivid memory of Catholocism was at a sleepover in 6th grade. We were discussing religion, and a Catholic friend who attended Catholic school said that "Martin Luther was the devil." and later that " I can't EVER come into your church (Lutheran) because I am afraid the walls will fall down on me." Conversely, my father always ranted that we would NEVER be allowed to date Catholic boys. So I did alot of reading. I educated myself. I also attended catechism for 3 years and listened with a 13-16 yr. old open mind. I am now reading "The Reformation" by Will Durant, who is a Catholic. Here are a few of my observations from my formative years: 1) Many Catholics don't attend or believe in thier church, but are afraid of the consequences of leaving. 2) Mysticism: many catholics where I come from wear the gold "evil eye" necklace and swear that this wards off the devil 3)I was told by Catholic friends that NOT attending church was a sin, but most I knew didn't attend. 4)Having attended many Catholic marriage cermonies, the emphasis seems to be on Mary. ie) the bride kneels before Mary's statue and prays and lights candle. 5)You can take communion in my church but I can't in yours. 6)The Catholics I know are good people. But not a spiritual way....they do not think for themselves. Depend on Pope for answers, and yet do not practice what the church teaches. They profess they are "Catholics" but do not adhere to the churches teachings. I always found Catholocism to be a dicotomy. For me it was strange growing up in a scriptural based church, welcoming all, compared to scare tactic church. I always felt sorry for my friends as they lived in fear but not to the extent that it stopped them from being the first to "explore" the rights of adulthood! We had one Catholic school in our little town and the girls were notorious for being "fast". Somehow I think the Catholic church has missed the boat. But hey, I live in TX now and the "catholics" here are Baptists. The Baptist church here asks the kids "which of your friends will go to hell?" and then lists them on chalkboard! I know this is discombobulated. I am not the best at putting down what I am thinking! Peace +

[al_c]

Arent there some suggestions that these apparitions could be demonicly inspired to take focus away from Jesus Christ...to get as many people to stray from Christ centered worship by getting them to focus elsewhere?

Did you not completely read the article or my earlier post about this? The Aztec people worshipped many gods, but not the one true God. Through this apparition, they embraced Christianity and converted. In other words, they denied Christ before, then accepted Him after.

Do you get it this time?

[realpatriot71]

Quote from linked source:

"Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God,[134] was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin."

"The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person"

"The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God "the All-Holy" (Panagia), and celebrate her as "free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature".[138] By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long."

"The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary's real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man.[154] In fact, Christ's birth "did not diminish his mother's virginal integrity but sanctified it."[155] And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the "Ever-virgin".

It was a good read, and I understand the Roman Catholic Theology behind mary, but can you substantiate any of the above points through Biblical texts?

[biblewonk]

Did you notice my post about her title of "Mother of the True God"? I think it's back on the first page somewhere.

If you want to know about the bible basis of their beliefs read this: http://www.immaculateheart.com/MaryOnLine/html/cover_story_0.html#

After reading it you will see that the bible has absolutely nothing to do with their beliefs in Mary.

[jeremiah]

How many shrines were built to Elijah, Moses, Samuel or others were in bible history? I believe the answer is none. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me, is one of the commandments. There is a plethora of shrines in the Middle East, of ancient age too, they are to the Prophet Muhammad, and of course he told his followers that he was just a path to the true God, and not Allah himself, it has worked out just fine. There are lots of believers, and they are helping make the world so much more peaceful.

The point is, Mary was a woman, she was not a God, she was the mother of other children, she was not a perpetual virgin, and she is not to be worshipped.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Hello,

I can address a few of your points.

I think many Catholics, and Christians in general, do not take their religion seriously. Thats a shame isnt it? Look at our country, it seems hedonism is flourshing doesnt it? Yet we claim to be a Christian country. And we are, a country made up of many denominations. Isn't it a shame that our country is becoming a Sodom and Gemorrah? A Christian country that permits abortion????

I think alot of Catholics don't take their religion seriously because it just isn't important to them. I have a book by Fr. Lagrange called 'the Three ages of the interior life' in which he talks about us always having to renew our spiritual life. He says there are three conversions in our spiritual journey and most people only make it to the first step. He says some make it to the second but very few make it to the third. Great book.

I have personally never seen anyone wearing an "evil eye" necklace. Any Catholic that mixes occult in with his religion is kidding himself. So are all salad bar catholics.

I was married in a catholic church. My wife, and I, went to Marys altar and said some prayers. I wish now that I would have went to St. Josephs altar also to ask him to help me in my marriage, though I have since developed a devotion to him also. The focus is on the Mass however, I've never been to a Mass that was focused on anything but Jesus.

At any rate, I gotta run. Best wishes on your journey.

[conservonator]

Whoa; never thought I'd ever use four French words in a row, let alone correctly

How do you say, " I surrender, got cheese?" in french?;->

[realpatriot71]

Gen. 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Of course, anyone who sins is not at enmity with the devil to whatever extent he sins, but this is not to be the case with the New Adam or his mother.

Enmity - "Deep seated, often mutual hatred". You mean those who have fallen short and sinned cannot also hate the devil? The devil does not still hate those who have sinned but are saved? Can you back this up from the Bible?

What did Paul mean in Romans 3:23 when he said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God? It appears he's saying EVERYONE, not everyone except Mary. I think that would be an important point, no?

[soccermom]

Yep! Give me a warning before you post Catholic stuff anymore so I can at least get my bet placed before the bashing starts.

[Gophack]

They profess they are "Catholics" but do not adhere to the churches teachings.

Your insights were interesting, and I thought I would respond in a like manner.

I am a practicing Catholic. I try very hard to live by the teachings of the Church, which are based on Scripture and Tradition. I attend church every Sunday unless there is an illness. I practice Natural Family Planning (don't use artifical birth control).

Am I perfect and sinless? No. But our God is a forgiving God, and I have confessed and been absolved of my sins and try to do good.

The one good thing that Protestants have done for the Catholic Church is bring us closer to the revealed Word of God. It is true that as a young Catholic, I didn't read the Bible. Now I do regularly. It has brought me closer to my faith. It is a falsehood that the Catholic Church in the 20th Century discouraged the reading of the Bible. We are strongly encouraged to read it, particularly in my parish. The difference is, if we read something and it doesn't make sense to us, we have a teaching authority -- the Magisterium -- to go to for understanding and explanation.

We don't worship Mary, but Mary plays an important role in our faith as the ever-virgin Mother of God. We believe in intercession, where we ask Mary and the saints to pray for us. We don't pray TO them, we ask them to join us in prayer because they are already in Heaven.

I appreciate that you have taken the time to look into the Catholic faith, even if you don't agree with it. I, too, am frustrated with Catholics who profess their faith, but don't practice. However, I don't think that this means that the Church need to fundamentally change. Perhaps we need to change the way we communicate, but not what we believe. Just because some Catholics engage in pre-marital sex, does that mean we shouldn't say it's wrong? Just because some Catholics use birth control, should we turn away from our belief that birth control is wrong? No.

I have been a wayward Catholic, but today I feel closer to my Church and God than ever in my life.

God bless.

[SoothingDave]

Did you notice my post about her title of "Mother of the True God"? I think it's back on the first page somewhere.

Yes, I did. You are still denying that Jesus is True God. We believe that Jesus Christ is begotten, not made, of the same essence as the Father. True God from True God.

This means that when Jesus was in Mary's womb, she carried and gave birth to a person who was the True God.

I don't know what you believe Jesus was then. My people will affirm that Jesus is God.

SD

[biblewonk]

Read John 17 and you will see that that particular title is aimed very pointedly at the Father.

[AsYouAre]

I agree wholeheartedly, Jeremiah.

I grew up Catholic, was schooled in Catholicism, and strongly considered the priesthood until God led me in a different direction. I distinctly remember the statues and was ignorant of God's command to "not have any graven images." Catholics can convince themselves all they want that they are not worshipping Mary, but anything that distracts us from the fullness of Jesus Christ is an idol.