On December 9th, 1531, on a hillside, just outside what is now Mexico City, the Blessed Virgin Mary Appeared before an Indian catholic farmer named Juan Diego, on his way to church. The Blessed Virgin Asked him to see to it that a church be built there in her honor. When Juan Diego approached his Bishop with Our Lady’s Request, he was not believed and was driven out. The Virgin Appeared again to the Indian and Directed him to a barren, stony place where She Said he would find roses growing. He wrapped the roses in his cloak (Tilma), and brought them to the Bishop. When he unwrapped the roses, he discovered the image of the Virgin imprinted on the cloak. This time he was believed and a basilica was built on the original spot.
The cloak or Tilma, unfaded by time and authenticated by art experts as not being any work they can explain, is exhibited on the main altar of the New Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the shrine that commemorates the Miracle (Marian of the Immaculate Conception, 1997).
On December 9. 2031, we will celebrate the 500th Anniversary of our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego. The following novena is being prayed every day all over the world in preparation for the big celebration.
NOVENA PRAYER