The Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Guadalupe
In December 1531, while the war between Spanish colonists and the indigenous Aztecs of Mexico raged, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a young Aztec peasant, Juan Diego. Taking the form of a young mestizo woman, she asked him to have a sanctuary built on the site of her apparition and for the peoples to be reconciled. Following this, a great many South Americans converted.
Guadalupe, the starting point for the evangelization of the entire South American continent, became a major pilgrimage site after numerous miracles were observed there.
Find beautiful prayers dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe thanks to Hozana, such as the one dedicated to unborn children, as Our Lady is their patron saint.
Origin of the Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe
After Juan Diego saw the Virgin five times, he had to succeed in convincing the bishop to have a sanctuary built on the Hill of Tepeyac, the site of the Marian apparitions. The Holy Mother of Christ helped him by performing wonderful miracles, to prove the truthfulness of Juan's words. The astonished bishop agreed immediately. Thus, just two weeks after the first apparition, a chapel was built. At the same time, a multitude of South Americans flocked there and converted.
Juan Diego is appointed guardian of the chapel and the miraculous image of the Virgin on his cloak (tilma). He remained on this hill for seventeen years.
Two years later, in 1533, the first Marian sanctuary in America is finally built on the hill, near Mexico City. Baptism requests continue to grow, and in eight years, nine million people are baptized there. Our Lady of Guadalupe is nicknamed: "The Virgin who shaped a homeland: Mexico".
Due to the ever-increasing influx of pilgrims, the sanctuary expanded over the years. Today, it is the second most visited site in the world with 20 million pilgrims per year, after the Vatican.
The Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe Today
The annual pilgrimage of Our Lady of Guadalupe takes place on December 12, the anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin. It is millions of pilgrims (between 6 and 7 million), who travel for days, coming from all over the world, to show their love for the Mother of the Savior. Thus, nearly 500 groups of faithful gather during the month of December. An incredible fervor reigns then. The entire country celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe with processions, songs, and dances.
Throughout the year, the sanctuary welcomes around two thousand pilgrimages. Many dioceses or organizations organize pilgrimages to Mexico. The trip generally lasts about ten days, at a minimum.
On site, the sanctuary organizes guided tours, particularly of the churches that compose it, explaining each of the apparitions.
It is a pilgrimage of great spiritual and human richness.
Continue Your Prayer with Hozana and Go on a Pilgrimage!
Discover wonderful prayer communities thanks to Hozana!
For nine days, !
Pray during this beautiful retreat and
