HOUSTON – Dec. 12 is a significant day for Catholics with Mexican heritage.
Millions of people around the world have been lighting candles, offering flowers and praying the rosary for miracles, but what is the significance of this day?
For many, Tuesday is a day to honor the Virgin Mary, also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe and Virgen de Guadalupe, on what is believed to be the 492th anniversary of her apparition in 1531.
The first apparitions
According to Britannica, the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous Aztec peasant who converted to Christianity named Juan Diego on Dec. 9 and again on Dec. 12, 1531, in present-day Mexico. During her first unexpected sighting, it is believed she requested that a shrine be built where she appeared-- Tepeyac Hill, which, according to reports, is now in a suburb of Mexico City.
Diego went to Archbishop Juan de Zumárraga and told him what the Virgin Mary requested, however, the archbishop wanted a sign before he would approve the construction of a church. Mary then appeared a second time to Juan Diego and ordered him to collect roses, a rare sighting in the winter. Juan Diego went to de Zumárraga a second time and opened his cloak, revealing dozens of roses and the image of Mary on the inside of his cloak. That image has served as a national symbol for Mexico to this day.
Juan Diego was made a saint in 2002 by Saint John Paul II.
The pilgrimage
Traditionally, many people make a pilgrimage to Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to sing Happy Birthday at midnight and pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe for help, miracles and strength. Throughout these pilgrimages, people sing songs and hold celebrations while oftentimes traveling long distances.
Prayer, petitioning and miracles
The Associated Press interviewed Peña Montaño, a homemaker, who had been praying to the virgin for her son 29-year-old Silverio, who was detained in the United States for crossing the border illegally. He was later released.
“I came to greet her on this day, which is very important for all Mexicans,” said Montaño. “My heart was beating hard from so much emotion. I was very excited to arrive.”
Evelyn Pilón, 20, who came from Chiconcuac, told AP that she and her companion carried an image of the virgin carved from animal bone.
“We walked all night without stopping until now,” said Pilón, who is praying for the health of her baby son. “I felt a lot of emotion when I arrived because I was reminded of my baby. I couldn’t bring him because he is very sick.”
KPRC 2 Assignment Desk Editor Millie Quintanilla shared that it is believed Our Lady of Guadalupe intercedes for those who call on her.
“So as a Mexican, it’s a patron that we have that intercedes for us when we ask God for help, for healing, for any worry, anything that we have, we ask her to help us,” she explained.
A symbol of resistance
It is believed that Our Lady of Guadalupe played a significant role in Mexican identity. Britannica reports that in 1810, Priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, also called the father of Mexican independence, promoted her as the patroness of the revolt he led against the Spanish. Her image appeared on the rebels’ banners, and the rebels’ battle cry was “Long Live Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Tradition
Quintanilla, whose family is from southern Mexico, said her loved ones typically wear white outfits with red embroidery and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the front.
“They bring mariachis and it’s like a big party that they do for her and it’s all throughout the day. She’s everywhere” Quintanilla said.
She plans to attend church in Conroe on Tuesday evening, where there will be a reenactment. A special Mass will then follow.
People also gather for prayer, dancing, music tributes and celebrations.