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History
According to national legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to
a Juan Diego (a Mexican Indian) in 1531 on the Cerro de
Tepeyac in the north of Mexico City. She appeared three
times in the guise of an Indian princess and commanded a church
to be built in the area, where the Basilica de Guadelupe
now stands. More miraculously she imprinted her image into
Juan Diego's cloak, and this cloak now is preserved and set
in gold.
You can view this cloth in the new basilica, which was built
in response to earthquakes in the area that cracked the original
basilica. Viewing occurs on a motorized platform that moves
you past the Lady of Guadelupe. Whilst this may be an efficient
way to allow the entire crowd to view her image, but can seem
to be a little cynical in the face of a religious wonder.
Festivities
From early December onwards Mexicans celebrate the day of
Our Lady of Guadelupe. The pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadelupe
culminates on their national holiday in her honour on December
12th. This pilgrimage is a mammoth affair with about 5 million
Mexicans making the journey to the Basilica that holds round
the clock services to cater to the throngs of pilgrims.
The Roman Church is a uniting force in Mexico, and this festival
is no exception. The Virgin de Guadelupe is depicted as an
Indian "dark Madonna", and this has helped the integration
of indigenous people and their religion into the Roman Catholic
Church. The resulting Catholicism exists in a more multifaceted
form which attempts to be meaningful for the whole Mexican
population, whether white, indigenous or mestizo. |
