Scientists certify Our Lady of Guadalupe tilma

In 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Mexican peasant Juan Diego. To prove to all that the apparitions were real, the Virgin imprinted an image of herself on Juan Diego's tilma, a thin cloth made of cactus fibres.

This type of tilma normally decays in 30 to 40 years. But Juan Diego's tilma is still miraculously intact and the same as it was when he wore it.

Over the centuries, many have expressed doubts about the divinity of the image, but Prof. Victor Campa Mendoza has no doubt whatsoever.

"This is not a human act but an act of God," he says in Spanish, adding he has accumulated enough evidence to prove it.

The first is in Revelation chapter 12 which speaks about a woman remarkably similar to Our Lady of Guadalupe, including the fact she was accompanied by the sun, the stars and the moon and that she was pregnant.

Four-petal flower

According to the Nahualt culture, Juan Diego's culture, Our Lady is pregnant in the tilma. This is clear by the shape of her waist and by the four-petal flower resting on her womb, which in Nahualt culture is a symbol of pregnancy, Mendoza said.

A professor of ethics at the Technological Institute of Durango, Mexico, Mendoza has done extensive analysis and research on Juan Diego's tilma for the past 30 years and has written several books on Our Lady of Guadalupe, including the Mantle Codex, the Nican Mopohua and his latest, Guadalupan.

He is currently on a speaking tour of several U.S. and Canadian cities. Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wainwright sponsored his trip to Alberta. He made presentations at parishes in Edmonton, Wainwright, Lloydminster and Vegreville.

In a brief interview in Spanish and during a PowerPoint presentation for 35 people at St. Martin's Parish in Vegreville June 12, Mendoza spoke candidly about Our Lady and gave further evidence of the supernatural origin of her image. He used a large canvass of Our Lady for the presentation and with a large ruler he pointed to details in the image.

Carlos Lara of Wainwright, who interpreted the presentation, said in his native Mexico Our Lady is popular and nobody questions the divinity of the tilma. But presentations like Mendoza's are necessary for skeptical westerners.

The universe

Mendoza noted Our Lady's tilma shows the radiant rays of the sun surrounding her as she appeared, wearing a blue-green mantle that depicts the universe.

Also fascinating is the pattern of stars strewn across her mantle. According to Mendoza the pattern mirrors the exact position of constellations on the day her image appeared on the tilma, Dec. 12, 1531. He used a graph to prove it.

It has been found that by imposing a topographical map of central Mexico on the Virgin's dress, the mountains, rivers and principal lakes coincide with the decoration on this dress, he said.

The fact that the tilma has remained perfectly preserved since 1531 is a miracle in itself, according to Mendoza. After more than four centuries, Juan Diego's tilma retains the same freshness and the same lively colour as when it was new.

Analysis shows that there is no trace of drawing or sketching under the colour, even though perfectly recognizable retouches were done on the original.

He said a professor from NASA conducted an independent analysis in 1979 and concluded that there is no way to explain the quality of the pigments used for the pink dress, the blue veil, the face and the hands, the permanence of the colours, or the vividness of the colours after several centuries, during which they ordinarily should have deteriorated.

Much research has also been conducted regarding mysterious images that appear in Our Lady's eyes. The images reflected in her retinas are of the moment when she left her imprint on Juan Diego's tilma and Mendoza showed enlarged pictures of those images.

Peruvian Jose Aste Tonsmann, an expert in digital image processing, produced them. The figures in Our Lady's eyes' reflection show the people historically known to have been present at the unveiling of the tilma in 1531 - Bishop Zumarraga, his interpreter, Juan Diego and several family members.

Further proof of the supernatural origin of the tilma comes from St. Luke, who in 71 AD painted a portrait of Our Lady that is remarkably similar to Our Lady of Guadalupe, noted Mendoza. "This is a true sign that this an act of God," he said.

Studying Juan Diego’s Tilma

I am a paleontologist at Cornell University, where I teach a course about determining the age, materials and place of origin of artworks. Three years ago, Dr. Gilberto Aguirre, a physician in San Antonio, Texas, invited me to join a team examining the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He was interested in small images said to be found in the eyes of the icon and hoped I could comment on the age and composition of the fabric and pigments. I made two trips to Mexico City, did tests on fibers at Cornell and reported to Dr. Aguirre, the archbishop of Mexico City and his staff.

Various news reports had suggested that the tilma was a fake, that it was made in Europe and brought to Mexico by Franciscan priests or, perhaps, that it was painted in Mexico over the image of a dark-eyed Aztec goddess.

People who support the “European origin” theory argue that the tilma cannot be of local manufacture because it has lasted too long. Local cloth, made from woven cactus fibers, lasts for a few years, maybe a decade. The tilma has been displayed for hundreds of years. They argue the tilma must be woven from European linen or cotton.

Two fibers loaned to me for microscopic examination (and reportedly removed from the tilma’s outer edge when it was stored during the Mexican Revolution) do not, it seems, come from native cactus plants.

I was also able to rule out cotton, wool and linen (fibers that might have been used in Europe). The tilma seems to be made from woven hemp, from a plant that is native to Mexico. This could explain the tilma’s remarkable state of preservation. Hempen cloth can last hundreds of years. It is one of the strongest fibers known.

People who support the “Aztec goddess” theory argue that photographs taken in ultraviolet light show an underpainting or “pentimento” of a dark-eyed, somewhat frightening woman.

I pointed out to Church authorities that ultraviolet photography does not expose images beneath other images. Rather, ultraviolet light shows most clearly the application of paint on top of another image. Ultraviolet light shows where an original has been “touched up,” usually with a clear varnish. The “dark-eyed” maiden of the “Aztec goddess” theorists is simply the original image with large, circular patches of varnish added over the eyes. Conservators often use such patches to protect a surface. Ultraviolet photos could help modern conservators remove this added varnish layer.

To see if there is really an underpainting on the tilma, photographs need to be taken with light from the infrared part of the spectrum.

Theories about European origins and an Aztec goddess are simply incorrect. Simple scientific tests can rule these out.

I hope that future testing will be permitted. An examination using neutron-activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence could shed light on the pigments of the image, the history of the tilma and, importantly, could direct attempts to conserve and safeguard this image.

John J. Chiment teaches in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:8GZ8Fr8dA38J:www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jul2002/Feature1.asp+Father+Jose+Luis+Guerrero,+the+2002+canonization+of&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3

JUAN DIEGO’S INTERCESSION MIRACLE SUMMARY

THE MIRACLE

20 years before Juan Diego’s Beatification, JJ was born. Dona Esperanza’s unique son, who alone, with great efforts, a brave heart and a special faith in God and Virgin of Guadalupe, showed him a life of studies, work and knowledge of the Only Truly God.

JJ was educated in very good schools. His physical and intellectual developments were normal and start to bright between his partners. Only with common problems in many families.

3rd May 1990, in his third floor department in Mexico city, near 17:00 o’clock, he falls from the balcony after fighting with his mother trying to stop him. He falls in concrete soil. Struk in his right orbit and chin without being stopped by anything, neither his own arms. Curious people were already in the street trying to help without success. Seeing the fall and stroke think he is dead but JJ, without loss conscience, stands up and seat down in the street. An ambulance is called and carries him to a very renown Hospital.

Immediately is transported to Radiology Section to make head and neck Computed Axial Tomography studies. Medical Director receives the young man, who is very agitated. The mother, very preoccupied, asks for prognostic. She is told her son is going to die soon and possible before will have four limbs paralysis. Director tells her, if she has faith, tries to ask God and Virgin of Guadalupe for a miracle. The mother answer “ I have already did it, asking Juan Diego’s intercession” to save JJ to die.

Imagenology studies shows an enormous skull basal fracture. Extended from right orbit and cheek till left ear. It passes over delicate neurologic, arteries and veins elements without produce any lesion. Inflammatory lesions and cerebral edema dues to hemorrhages are reported. Finally, he got his skull broken without other bones fractures.

In the Intensive Care Unit is attended by specialists who only give support measures. 6th May, only three days after, a decision is taken : do not start any measure to useless prolong patient’s life. Catheters and ventilators are retired and suddenly the young man awakes stands up from bead and start to have meals. Just at same moment in Our Lady Virgin of Guadalupe’s shrine, the Juan Diego’s Beatification Celebration Ceremony is taking place. Lesions disappear spontaneously and JJ is recovered without problems added. 10th May, when in Mexico Mother’s day is celebrated, he is sent to a normal Hospital room. Ten days after the traumatism he is sent home in excellent conditions without any complication.

All skull base, passing over a place named “ clivus” and the hipophysis gland, important C. R. L. fistulae and hemorrhages, one in subaracnoidean space, were established as diagnosis. Is remarkable he did not die immediately, also he did not lose conscience, other fractures were not present, niether neurologic, endocrinologic or other invalidating lesions. Also the recovery was so rapid. Without complications or specific treatment.

A month after, tomodensitometries (ACT ) were normal. Continuously supervised, one more year do not present neurologic, endocrinous nor vascular problems and his emotional and intellectual status were satisfactory. Occasionally had little relapses because familiar problems, overlooked with psychiatric treatment. Another tomography one year after, shows a fracture already consolidated in a cervical vertebral structure called “odontoides”. This bone, with a minimum displacement, not as severe as in this case, injure rachidean bulb as a rule. In this place, autonomous functions as cardiac beats, breath and digestive functions are regulated.

He was working as bell boy and as chauffeur nearly five years. With his friends went to parties having a normal life. He continues under strict supervision and three year ago “Juan Diego’s Scholarship” is given him. He finishes studies as Computer Technique. Having very good notes, even the first place some months and his classmates and professors have very good opinions of his behavior. Last year went to United States and right now has a worthy work in a sales institution.

THE PROCESS.

With so unusual evolution, an official Catholic Court was established in order to check the presence of a miracle. Constituted by outstanding Church personalities, as Father J. Milanese already dead, theologians as Mons. Jose Luis Guerrero and Father Victor Garcia Delgadillo, Luis Felipe García, Mons Enrique Salazar as Vicepostulador, and Father Antonio Moya from Opus Dei Prelature. All of them with specialization studies in Rome, Italy. As Notaries, Sor Nieves Rodríguez and Josefima Velázquez. Three physicians were included : Coordinated by D, J.H. Hernandez Illescas, all specialists and university professors. Sessions had place almost every week nearly four years. JJ, his mother and other witness were convoked to declare. They retell the facts, invocations to Juan Diego before the fall and the prodigious evolution.

Other Mexican doctors with very well known scientific quality and irreproachable professional and docent lines. Three neurosurgeons, two orthopedist, three psychiatrics, two internists, a general surgeon, one endocrinologist, one radiologist, one otorrinolaringologist and a forensic specialist. Between them stands out Dr. Horacio Martinez Romero’s participation. He had between other international rewards, one Latin-American Neurosurgery Congress presidency. All doctors are distinguished university professors.

Dr. Javier Amaro, Forensic Medicine specialist working in General Justice Mexican Court, with thousands of autopsies experience, also concluded, having JJ those kind of injures presented, “ we are seeing an inconceivable case”, because he is alive, without any kind of sequel and in perfect physical and mental conditions.

To prove it, an interview in video was made. Common questions were posed to JJ, as studies, hobbies, worries and wishes of future progress. JJ’s answers were very sensible. He shows visually his normal mind.

Since in this case is contributing force application, the opinion of two specialists in Dynamics was asked. Physic Blas Diaz Romero from La Salle University, and Ing. Hugo Acevedo. In separated calculations they determined the young man cervical vertebral spine, usually broken with a 35 kg application force, received more than one and a half tons !!!.

Thursday Saint 1994, in Mexico Metropolitan Cathedral, during the Benediction of the Saint Oil, the “ Mexican Copia Bella “ was placed in a box, sealed appropriately and sent to Rome, Italy. The Eternal City receives it. A new stage begins. Mons. P Molinari of Postulazione Generale Della Compagnia Di Gesu, edits a “Positio” and sends to Vatican Saints Congregation and supervises the Process evolution. Five Italian doctors are called, between them the eminent professor Da Rossa. Their unanimous opinion is “ it is a real miracle”. Then the Theologiens revision comes. They approve the legality of Procedures.

In this moment His Eminency Norberto Cardinal Rivera, Mexico Prime Archbishop, takes very wisely, the Process Direction. With an old and important interest to work on Canonization. Even in his heraldic Coat of Arms we can see the Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes guarding Anahuac Valley, and the beautiful figures of Virgin of Guadalupe and Juan Diego!!!. Just as a premonition of love to them and his destiny to bring to a good end Juan Diego’s Canonization Process. He designs as new Postulator Mons Oscar Barba who continues the procedure.

Very known problems begin and it was necessary to exaggerate historic, theological and technical aspects on Juan Diego and the miracle. Then appears the important aportations, in a book, of Mons Fidel Gonzalez, Eduardo Chavez and Jose Luis Guerrero, who actualize, make a revision and include new facts to avoid weaks and wrong voices of some people trying to delay canonization.

Mons. Chavez continues Juan Diego’s Process and from the beginning plays an extraordinary role. By means of conferences, writings, and meetings he seize the opportunity and, under His Eminence Norberto instructions and with Mons Diego Monroy, Dean of Virgin of Guadalupe’s shrine, with all his means and efforts promotes Canonization.

October 2001 Vatican Consistory is finished and His Saintly John Paul II proclaims and signs, the truth of Juan Diego´s Miracle in December 20th. Right now the entire world, especially Mexico and Latin-America are waiting with anxiety, the John Paul II’s illuminated intervention in order to officially canonizes Juan Diego. In accomplishment of Virginal promises, to follow countersign tasks Saint Mary of Guadalupe encomends him to continue being example of compromised laic, evangelizer and also to shine as paradigm of all world aborigines in this convulsed planet.

PRAISED BE GOD, BLESSED THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE AND THANK YOU JOHN PAUL II.

http://frpat.com/juandiegoillescas.htm

http://www.sancta.org/eyes.html

The Mystery in Our Lady’s eyes

“Bearded man” image in the right eye.
According to many scientists who have inspected the image, it seems that in her eyes, in both of them and in the precise location as reflected by a live human eye, could be seen many figures that have been extensively analyzed and seem to correspond to the shape and size of human figures located in front of the image.

In 1929, Alfonso Marcue, who was the official photographer of the old Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, found what seemed to him to be a clear image of a bearded man reflected in the right eye of the Virgin. Initially he did not believe what was before his eyes. How could it be? A bearded man inside of the eyes of the Virgin?. After many inspections of many of his black and white photographs he had no doubts and decided to inform the authorities of the Basilica. He was told that time to keep complete silence about the discovery, which he did.
More than 20 years later, on May 29, 1951, Jose Carlos Salinas Chavez, examining a good photograph of the face, rediscovers the image of what clearly appears to be a bearded man reflected in the right eye of the Virgin, and locates it on the left eye too.

“Bearded man”.
Since then, many people had the opportunity to inspect closely the eyes of the Virgin on the tilma, including more than 20 physicians, ophthalmologists.
The first one, on March 27, 1956, was Dr. Javier Torroella Bueno, MDS, a prestigious ophthalmologist. In what is the first report on the eyes of the image issued by a physician, he certifies what seems to be the presence of the triple reflection (Samson-Purkinje effect) characteristic of all live human eyes and states that the resulting images are located exactly where they are supossed to be according to such effect, and also that the distortion of the images agree with the curvature of the cornea.
The same year another ophthalmologist, Dr. Rafael Torrija Lavoignet, examined the eyes of the image with an ophthalmoscope in great detail. He observed the apparent human figure in the corneas of both eyes, with the location and distortion of a normal human eye and specially noted a unique appearance of the eyes: they look strangely “alive” when examined.
Many other examinations by ophthalmologists have been done of the eyes of the image on the tilma after these first ones. With more or less details all agree with the conclusions of the ones mentioned above.

According to Dr. Tonsmann, from left to right we can see “the Indian”, “bishop Zumarraga”, the “translator”, “Juan Diego showing the tilma” and below “the family”.
A new and interesting kind of analysis of the eyes started in 1979, when Dr. Jose Aste Tonsmann, Ph D, graduated from Cornell University, while working in IBM scanned at very high resolutions a very good photograph, taken from the original, of the face on the tilma. After filtering and processing the digitized images of the eyes to eliminate “noise” and enhance them, he reports he made some astonishing discoveries: not only the “human bust” was clearly present in both eyes, but another human figures were seen as reflected in the eyes too.
Dr. Aste Tonsmann published his last studies on the eyes on the tilma in the book “El Secreto de sus Ojos”, with complete details and photographs of his work . Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the studies is his conclusion that Our Lady of Guadalupe not only left us her miraculous image as proof of her apparition but some important messages too. These messages were hidden in the eyes on the image until our times, when new technologies would allow them to be discovered, when they are most necessary.
That would be the case with the image of a family in the center of the Virgin’s eye, in times when families are under serious attack in our modern world. The image of various human figures that seem to constitute a family, including various children and a baby carried in the woman’s back as used in the 16th century, appears in the center of the pupil, as shown in this great image of the right eye highlighting the family, generously provided by Dr. Tonsmann.

HOME | Top | Send this site to a friend | Comments | webkeeper

“Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.”
(Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego)

Good story... Also, there was a traveling picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was displayed outside an abortion clinic in Atlanta a few years back -- as part of prayer service and to defend life (by being displayed outside an abortion clinic).

An ardent pro-lifer and very good Catholic was able to see the display and be a part of the event (on a Friday). I had to work.

The next day this ardent pro-lifer (Michelle) was saying the next day she smelled roses (Saturday).

I was skeptical that it was roses, and thought it was flowers blooming from the bushes in front of the abortion clinic (though plant life does not grow well at this abortion clinic).

Michelle corrected me by stating that there were no flowers (visible) in bloom.

I realized that I also smelled the roses, and as I and Michelle was trying to figure out why, Michelle said that the smell of roses came where the traveling image had been displayed...

At that point, I realized that Michelle (as well as myself) had been blessed with a very wonderful grace from heaven -- the smell of roses. This grace was common to people who visited Padre Pio (while he walked this world until 1968) and had favors granted...

Michelle, in the 1990's, along with her friend Scott, were instrumental in closing down an abortion clinic -- by exposing the truth... The abortion industry bulldozed the building almost immediately after this clinic was closed -- it was such a scandal.

Scott is now resident in Yonkers, New York, as one of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the order Father Benedict Groeschel and Father Andrew Apostoli are part of (the CFR's).

To make a long story short, Michelle works very hard for the pro-life group in Atlanta, and I think the smell of roses was a small reward for her -- though she also has 8 children (at last count)...

From the Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe...

“Juanito, the most humble of my sons, where are you going?”

“Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows. And to accomplish what my clemency pretends, go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico, and you will say to him that I manifest my great desire, that here on this plain a temple be built to me; you will accurately relate all you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. Be assured that I will be most grateful and will reward you, because I will make you happy and worthy of recompense for the effort and fatigue in what you will obtain of what I have entrusted. Behold, you have heard my mandate, my humble son; go and put forth all your effort.”

First Visit

It's a wonderful story but it does not call attention to God once (as is often the case). This is not in keeping with the scriptures in which all things bring glory to God. But, as you can see from the story, God and our Lord Jesus is rarely mentioned.

One has to wonder why Mary would asks for a temple to be built for her and not to God? No one is under obligation to believe this "miraculous" event occur. But one wonders why someone wouldn't raise questions about people popping in on them asking them to erect temples to them.

It's a wonderful story but it does not call attention to God once (as is often the case).

At least in this account. In another account I read that she revealed herself to be "the Ever Virgin Mother of the True God."

This is not in keeping with the scriptures in which all things bring glory to God.

God often chooses to glorify Himself through his creatures. In this case, "to God through Mary." We all can be conduits of grace in some way.

This miracle brought about the conversion of 9 million pagans, so it bore good fruit.

Notice also that the image is Scriptural, in that it accords with this image described in Revelation.

Revelation 12:1
A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

But, as you can see from the story, God and our Lord Jesus is rarely mentioned. One has to wonder why Mary would asks for a temple to be built for her and not to God?

I believe that this is the reason. Mary is the woman alluded to in Genesis whose seed "crushes the head of the serpent." This would have special significance for the native people.

The origin of the name Guadalupe has always been a matter of controversy. The name came about because of the translation from Nahuatl to Spanish of the words used by the Virgin to announce herself: the Nahuatl word of "coatlaxopeuh" which is pronounced "quatlasupe" and sounds remarkably like the Spanish word Guadalupe. Catholic historians translate Coa as serpent; tla is interpreted as "the", while xopeuh means to crush or stamp out. The original Nahuatl translates as "the one who crushes the serpent", an allusion to Quetzecoatl, the serpent god-king of the Aztec religion.

Perhaps in this way, God could use Mary to lead the people away from their pagan religion and to Himself.

But one wonders why someone wouldn't raise questions about people popping in on them asking them to erect temples to them.

The bishop dismissed Juan Diego's visions until the day when Juan Diego unfurled his tilma bearing the miraculous image, and fresh roses tumbled out. This was in wintertime, when roses were not in bloom.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.