“It is this tilma, the relic of the Basílica de Guadalupe, for which millions of people make a pilgrimage to Mexico City every year on the 12th of December.”
December 12th is traditionally known in Mexico as the Day of OurLady of Guadalupe (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) celebrating the manifestation of the Virgin Mary appearing an Indian peasant, Juan Diego, on December 9, 1531. As Juan Diego was on his way to morning services at a nearby church, he was stopped by the sound of heavenly music from the top of Tepeyac Hill (former site of worship for the Aztec Goddess Tonántzin). He climbed the hill and saw a dark skinned woman surrounded by light and music. She told Juan Diego she wanted a temple built on the very spot they were standing. She asked Juan Diego in his native tongue, Náhuatl, to go the Bishop Zumárraga and request that a church be erected in her honor. Juan Diego went to the Bishop and made the request for the Virgin. As expected, the Bishop did not believe him. The Bishop wanted proof. Several days later, when Juan Diego was rushing to find a priest for his dying uncle, she appeared again to the Indian. She instructed him to take his tilma (cape made from cactus fibers) and gather up all the roses that had miraculously grown at her feet. Juan Diego took these flowers to the Bishop, and, as they poured out from his tilma, an image of the Virgin appeared on it. The image is one of the Virgin surrounded by the light of heaven and the stars of the winter solstice sky. It is this tilma, the relic of the Basílica de Guadalupe, for which millions of people make a pilgrimage to Mexico City every year on the 12th of December. This year over 4 million people came from all over the world to pay their respects and to view the relic.
All over Mexico, on the eve of the anniversary of the final appearance of the Virgin, cities have their own processions through their pueblos. Young girls and young boys are chosen to represent the Virgin and Juan Diego from their respective churches. The girls dress as the Virgin appeared in native dress with ribbons in their hair and the boys dress as Juan Diego with tilmas and straw hats. People decorate their cars and trucks with red roses and parade to their own respective churches, where a special mass is held. As all holidays, the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe unites people and families, but this special holiday unites all of Mexico.
-December 1999
