This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color purple .
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin is revered as the humble indigenous visionary to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531, playing a pivotal role in the evangelization of the Americas.
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin was a humble indigenous man from Cuautitlán, Mexico, who experienced a series of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Tepeyac Hill in December 1531. During these encounters, the Virgin Mary instructed him to request that a church be built in her honor on the site. As proof of her message to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, she miraculously caused roses to bloom on the barren hillside in winter and imprinted her image on Juan Diego's tilma (cloak) when he presented the roses to the bishop. This miraculous image, still preserved today, served as a powerful catalyst for the mass conversion of millions of indigenous people in Mexico and throughout the Americas, establishing Juan Diego as a central figure in the spread of the faith and a symbol of profound humility and obedience.
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, born in 1474 in Cuautitlán, a pre-Hispanic town then part of the Texcocan Acolhuacan kingdom, was an indigenous Chichimeca man whose humble life became inextricably linked with one of the most profound spiritual events in the Americas. His birth name, Cuauhtlatoatzin, meaning 'the talking eagle' or 'he who speaks like an eagle,' foreshadowed his future role as a messenger of the divine. He was a macehual, a member of the lowest social class in Aztec society, and lived a simple life as a farmer and laborer. Around 1524, he converted to Christianity, along with his wife, Maria Lucia, and was baptized by Franciscan missionaries, receiving the Christian name Juan Diego. His life before the apparitions was one of quiet piety, regularly walking miles from his village to Tlatelolco to attend Mass and receive religious instruction, demonstrating a deep devotion to his newfound faith.
The biting chill of December 12, 1531, did little to deter Juan Diego as he hastened toward the residence of Bishop Juan de Zumárraga. His heart, usually so humble and quiet, now swelled with a mix of awe and trepidation. For the Blessed Mother herself, Our Lady of Guadalupe, had appeared to him once more on Tepeyac Hill, instructing him to gather the miraculous roses blooming there in defiance of winter's grip. These vibrant Castilian roses, dewy and fragrant, were tucked carefully within his simple tilma, his agave-fiber cloak. They were the proof, the sign the Bishop had demanded, but Juan Diego knew the true miracle was yet to be revealed.
Upon reaching the Bishop's presence, Juan Diego recounted his encounters with the 'Ever-Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God,' describing her radiant beauty and her fervent desire for a temple to be built in her honor. Bishop Zumárraga and his household, still wary of the humble indigenous man's claims, listened intently, their skepticism palpable. Then, with a deep breath, Juan Diego unfolded his tilma, intending to present the Bishop with the extraordinary roses. As the coarse fabric opened, the roses, fresh and perfect, tumbled to the floor, filling the room with their sweet perfume.
But it was not merely the impossible roses that seized the attention of all present. As the tilma lay unfurled, a magnificent image of the Virgin Mary, radiant and serene, was suddenly and miraculously imprinted upon its very fibers. Her face, a synthesis of indigenous and Spanish features, was filled with tenderness. Stars adorned her mantle, the moon cradled her feet, and an angel supported her. The room fell silent, then erupted in cries of astonishment and devotion. Bishop Zumárraga, overcome with emotion, fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He recognized the undeniable hand of God.
Juan Diego, the humble macehual, stood before them, his face reflecting a quiet awe. He had simply been an obedient messenger, a faithful servant. This moment, the unveiling of the miraculous image, cemented his role not just in the history of Mexico, but in the heart of the Christian faith. It was a profound testament to his unwavering trust and simplicity, demonstrating how God chooses the lowly to confound the proud, and through their humble fidelity, performs His greatest works. The tilma, bearing the divine image, became the catalyst for the conversion of millions, a testament to Juan Diego's faith and the enduring message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
c. 1556
Here is a literal translation of a significant portion of the Nican Mopohua, an account of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego:
It was a Saturday, very early, when it was still dark, that Juan Diego, a poor Indian, was going to Tlatelolco, to attend Mass and be instructed in divine things. When he came near the little hill called Tepeyac, it was already dawning, and he heard singing on the hill, like many fine birds. When their voices ceased, and it was no longer singing, he heard that they were calling him from the top of the hill, saying: "Juanito, Juan Dieguito."
He dared to go where they were calling him, and his heart was greatly gladdened, and he climbed the hill. When he reached the top, he saw a Lady who was standing there, who told him to come closer. When he reached her presence, he greatly marveled at her supernatural grandeur, that her clothing shone like the sun, and the rock where she stood, how it sent forth rays, and shone like a precious jewel, and the earth shone like the rainbow. The mesquites, and the prickly pears, and the other little plants that are there, how they shone like emeralds, and their leaves like fine turquoise, and their thorns shone like gold.
He prostrated himself before her, and heard her voice, very gentle, very loving, like one who was speaking to him and endearing herself to him. She said: "Listen, my youngest and dearest son Juan Diego, where are you going?" He answered: "My Lady, my Queen, my Child, I am going to your little house in Mexico-Tlatelolco, to follow divine things, that are given to us by those who are the images of Our Lord, our priests."
She then spoke to him and revealed her holy will: "Know and understand well, you, my youngest son, that I am the perfect and ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the true God through whom one lives, the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and earth. I ardently desire that a teocalli (sacred house or church) be built here for me, where I will show and give all my love, my compassion, my help, and my protection to the people. For I am your merciful Mother, the Mother of all of you who live together in this land, and of all mankind, of all those who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who seek me, of those who trust in me. There I will hear their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, pains, and sufferings.
"And to bring about what my merciful love desires, go to the house of the Bishop of Mexico, and tell him how I sent you to manifest to him that I desire a house to be built here for me on this plain. You will tell him all that you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. And know for sure that I will be very grateful for it and will reward you. For this I will make you happy, and you will earn much, and I will make you worthy of being sent. And now, you have heard my breath, my word, my desire. Go, and put forth all your effort."
At once, he prostrated himself, and said: "My Lady, my Queen, I am going to your desire and your word; I, your poor servant, will go to fulfill your will. I will go to make known your breath, your word, to the Franciscan Bishop." And he left at once, and went straight to Mexico, and came to the palace of the Bishop, who was called Don Fray Juan de Zumárraga, a Franciscan.
When he arrived, he tried to see him. He asked a servant to tell him that he, Juan Diego, wanted to see him. The servant went to tell the Bishop, and then he sent for him. When he entered, he knelt and told him the message of the Heavenly Lady, telling him all that he had seen and heard, and her word. But the Bishop, when he heard it, did not believe him. He answered him, saying: "My son, you will come again, and I will hear you more calmly, and I will look at it from the beginning, what you have come for, and what your desire is."
Juan Diego left, and went back to the place where the Heavenly Lady had appeared to him. He found her there, waiting for him. When he saw her, he prostrated himself before her, and said: "My Lady, my Queen, my Child, I went to where you sent me, to fulfill your desire. Even though I found it difficult to enter where the Bishop is, I saw him, and I gave him your message, your word. He received me kindly, and listened to me. But when he answered me, he seemed not to believe me. He told me: 'You will come again, and I will hear you more calmly, and I will look at it from the beginning, what you have come for, and what your desire is.'
"I clearly understood that he thinks that it is perhaps my invention, that it is not your desire, and that it is not true. Therefore, I beg you, my Lady, my Queen, my Child, to send someone of importance, someone respected, known, honored, so that they may believe him. For I am a nobody, a little rope, a little ladder, the tail, a leaf, a nobody. And you, my Child, my youngest, you send me to a place where I am not known, where I do not walk, where I do not stop. Forgive me, Lady, my Queen, my Child, if I cause you sadness, if I make you angry. But I am not the one to be sent, nor the one to be recognized there."
Then the Ever-Virgin Holy Mary answered him: "Listen, my youngest and dearest son, understand well that there are many whom I could send, but it is necessary that you go, and that it be through your hand that my desire is fulfilled. And I earnestly beg you, my youngest and dearest son, that tomorrow you go again to see the Bishop, and in my name tell him, make him understand my will, that he must build the teocalli that I ask of him. And tell him that it is I, the Ever-Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, who sends you."
Juan Diego answered her: "My Lady, my Queen, my Child, I will not cause you sadness, nor will I make you angry. I will go gladly to fulfill your desire, your word. I will go to do your will. Even though I will be rejected, I will do your desire. Tomorrow, in the afternoon, when the sun sets, I will come to give you the word of the Bishop, what he answers you." And he left at once, and returned to his house to rest.
Solemn liturgical celebrations are held in churches, honoring Saint Juan Diego's feast day as a significant figure in the evangelization of the Americas.
This is the official liturgical commemoration of his sanctity and his pivotal role in the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as recognized by the Catholic Church.
Pilgrimages are made to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, where the miraculous tilma of Saint Juan Diego is housed.
The Basilica stands on Tepeyac Hill, the site of the apparitions witnessed by Saint Juan Diego, and is the custodian of the sacred image imprinted on his cloak, making it a central pilgrimage destination for devotees of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego.
Vibrant processions, often featuring traditional indigenous dances like the 'Danza de los Concheros' and mariachi music, are held to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe and recall Saint Juan Diego's role.
These cultural expressions celebrate the miraculous event of Guadalupe, which involved an indigenous visionary, Saint Juan Diego, and often re-enact elements of the apparitions or celebrate the indigenous heritage intertwined with the Catholic faith.
The blessing and distribution of roses, especially Castilian roses, often takes place in parishes during the feast days of Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The miraculous blooming of Castilian roses on Tepeyac Hill in December was the sign Our Lady of Guadalupe gave to Saint Juan Diego to present to Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, serving as proof of her apparitions and message.
Steamed masa (corn dough) filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, or vegetables, wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves.
Tamales are a traditional festive food in Mexico, widely prepared and consumed during the broader Guadalupan celebrations that encompass Saint Juan Diego's feast day on December 9th, leading up to Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast on December 12th. They symbolize communal celebration and hospitality.
Atole is a warm, thick beverage made from masa, water, piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar), cinnamon, and vanilla, often flavored with fruit. Champurrado is a chocolate-based variation of atole.
These comforting, warm drinks are very popular during cold December mornings and evenings in Mexico. They are commonly served during the festivities surrounding Our Lady of Guadalupe, which includes the feast day of Saint Juan Diego, offering warmth and sustenance to pilgrims and celebrants.
Thin, crispy fried dough fritters, often shaped like wheels or rosettes, and typically dusted with cinnamon sugar or drizzled with piloncillo syrup.
Buñuelos are a traditional dessert enjoyed during Mexican holidays and celebrations, including the Christmas season which begins with the Guadalupan festivities. Their preparation and sharing are part of the festive atmosphere that honors Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
A general term for various kinds of sweet breads and pastries, such as conchas (shell-shaped breads with a sugary topping) or cuernitos (croissants).
Pan dulce is a staple in Mexican households and bakeries, often consumed with coffee or atole. It is a common offering and treat during religious festivities, including those honoring Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe, found in homes and community gatherings.