Mexico City Trip – Part 2

There will probably be another two posts at least, since there is way too much commentary and too many pictures to cram into only one. In these pictures, we are still on the grounds of the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

In the previous post, I displayed photographs of the churches on the grounds, and the photos and commentary in this post will explain how this all came to be. From December 9th through 12th, 1531, an indigenous man named Juan Diego had several visions of the Virgin Mary. She told him to go to the bishop and to say that a church was to be built on that site.

The bishop did not believe him and asked for a sign. Juan Diego went back, but first spent time with his uncle who was mortally ill. The sign given to him was roses in full bloom, which was a miracle since this was a freezing cold December. Juan Diego put them in his cape and brought them to the bishop, and when he opened his cape and let the roses fall out, there was a picture of the Virgin imprinted on his cape. When he went home, another miracle had occurred – his uncle was cured of his illness.

I will now end my narrative – to be continued tomorrow…

Good night, All…………….

Gardens around the basilica

Stairs leading to the spot where Juan Diego saw his visions of the Virgin Mary – The Virgin of Guadalupe.

Several views of the churches and grounds as you climb the stairs

Church at the top of the stairs, built at the spot where Juan Diego had his vision of the Virgin of Guadalupe

In this place at dawn on Saturday December 9, 1531, the Mother of God talked for the first time to Juan Diego. In the afternoon the same day, and in the late afternoon on Sunday, December 10th. She talked with him again on December 12th in the morning. Juan Diego collected the miracle roses. The story is that Juan Diego found roses at this spot at a time of year when roses would not be blooming.

View from the church at the top of the stairs. You can see the pilgrims and their tents throughout the walkways and plaza below.