The Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Virgen de Guadalupe, is Mexico’s most important religious holiday. On December 12th, people join together for the festivities of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Huge fiestas are held all over Mexico and Central American to honor the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On this date, thousands from all over Mexico make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared before Indian convert Juan Diego in 1531. Mary told Juan to ask the bishop to build a church at the very place she appeared, on Tepeyac Hill. Mary left her image on Juan Diego’s tilma, cloak, as proof of her message to the bishop. The image has become Mexico’s most important icon and is kept at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 

by Taryn Bartholoew