Our Lady Of Guadalupe Essay

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Our Lady of Guadalupe is a large feast day celebrated in Roman Catholicism, with a strong rich history and narrative that dates back to the 1500s in Mexico. The scriptural, historical, and spiritual significance, the holiday practices, and its role in shaping the role of Christianity in today’s society contribute to the importance of this feast day and what it represents to the Catholic faith. On December 9th, 1531, the apparition of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, appears to Blessed Juan Diego, a poor Native American Aztec, on Hill of Tepeyac. She asked him to go to his Bishop to request to build a church on that hill, in which the Bishop was at first skeptical (Matovina, 267). On that same day, Our Lady appears again to Juan Diego, …show more content…

The appearance of Our Lady brought some new culture to Christianity, as Our Lady is represented by as Native American, and her dress contains many Aztec pictographs, understood and translated by many. Also, as a result of the appearance of Our Lady, ten million people were converted and baptized to the Christian faith. Shortly after, Aztec human sacrifices were halted. Many say that she started an era of peace throughout the surrounding areas. Another example of Our Lady’s historical significance is that she played an important role in Mexican nationalism and identity. In 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, promotes her as supporter of revolt against the Spanish. Thus, her image was seen on many of the banners the people …show more content…

Although most of the celebrations and festivals occur on the main day of December 12, some events begin before, as many people dedicate multiple days to their celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. An example of this is the pilgrimage many Catholics take to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in present-day Mexico City, to pay their honor and respects to Our Lady, along with viewing the original Image of Juan Diego’s tilma, which is well-housed and preserved in that church. Another practice that some do is recite the prayer to Our Lady written by Pope St. John Paul

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