The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.

To speak of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is to speak of hope, for she said to each and every human being: "My child, do not let anything afflict you. Am I not here, I who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy?" (Nican Mopohua, verse 119, a 16th century document written in the native Nahuatl language).

Our Lady of Guadalupe chose to reveal herself to humanity through a humble Indian, Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin, who was canonized by John Paul II on July 31st, 2002. Known as "La Morenita" (The Little Black Madonna), Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego in December of 1531 on the Tepeyac Hill, in the heart of Mexico. It is an event that is recognized not only by popular tradition, but also by a historical document written in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs called "Nican Mopohua". The "Nican Mopohua", which means "Here it is told", describes the five apparitions of Our Lady to Juan Diego, as well as the miraculous image that was imprinted on his "tilma" -- the common peasant cloak made of agave fibers.

In one of the apparitions, the Blessed Virgin Mary asked Juan Diego to visit the bishop of Mexico, Juan de Zumarraga, to ask him to build a chapel in her honor on the summit of the hill. Skeptical, the bishop asked for a sign from heaven to ensure the truthfulness of this petition that Mary had sent through her humble servant. Juan Diego returned to the Blessed Virgin Mary and reported the bishop's request. She said him: "Very well, return here tomorrow, and you can take to the Bishop the sign he has requested." And so, Our Lady asked Juan Diego to go to the summit of the Tepeyac Hill to gather flowers and then to bring them to her.

This took place on December 11th, in the middle of winter, and Tepeyac is 2,500 meters above sea level. Nevertheless, where once existed but thistles and thorns, Juan Diego found magnificent flowers that were typical of the Castile Region, in particular, roses that shined with dew drops. He picked some of them and placed them in his poncho, then descended the hill to return to Mary. Our Lady took the flowers from Juan Diego, and arranged them in his tunic; she told him, "My son, these different kinds of flowers are the proof, the sign, that you will take to the Bishop."

The Indian went back to the bishop's palace and told him that Our Lady had asked him to gather flowers so as to give the bishop the sign that he had wanted. Then, Juan Diego unfolded his tunic before the bishop: the flowers fell to the ground, and on his tunic appeared the image of Mary imprinted there, depicted with her hands folded, her eyes lowered and a veil spangled with 46 golden stars. The figure, who is represented with child, has a very gentle and radiant face, a tender expression and such a human and supernatural purity that the bishop and those present, overwhelmed, knelt down. Bishop Zumarraga asked for Mary's forgiveness for not having immediately attended to her request, and at once ordered the …