Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
July 25, 2001
Hispanic office sponsors pilgrimage to Mexico
Pilgrims to celebrate Mass at Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12
By Erlinda Moscoso
She can be seen on cars, posters, banners and candles. Loved by many throughout the world, Our Lady of Guadalupe is patroness of the Americas.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the most visited pilgrimage site in the Western Hemisphere. The faithful ask her intercession for a variety of needs, including protection of the unborn, to ward off evil and to cure ailments.
This Dec. 10-15 the Office of Hispanic Ministry is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the basilica where the tilma with Our Lady's image is enshrined. Pilgrims will celebrate Mass at the basilica on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12.
The beautiful story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is passed on from generation to generation. Movies and videos have been made about her appearances in 1531 to a poor Aztec Indian, Juan Diego.
Walking past a hill at Tepeyac one morning, Diego heard a woman's voice calling him. The woman instructed him to tell the bishop that she wished to have a church built on the hill. His first attempts to convince the bishop were unsuccessful. But after the bishop required a sign as proof of Diego's story, a sign was given — roses in bloom on top of the hill in the frozen winter ground. Diego picked them and wrapped them in his tilma (cape). But when he presented the roses to the bishop Diego was surprised to find that an even greater sign had been provided — the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was imprinted on his tilma. The bishop believed and a church was erected at the site.
As a result of the apparitions and the miracle of the tilma, eight million Aztecs converted to Christianity between 1532 and 1538. Over the centuries, several shrines have been built. The current basilica was built in 1974-1976. Its circular plan enables pilgrims standing anywhere in the basilica to see the miraculous image. The basilica can hold 10,000 people.
Tests to either prove or disprove the authenticity of the tilma have been conducted numerous times. The tilma was made with material that usually lasts about 20 years. During the first century of its existence, the tilma hung uncovered over hundreds of burning candles and was exposed to the touch of thousands. Despite that, the tilma shows no signs of decay. In 1647 it was finally encased in glass to preserve it.
Later, a worker using acid to clean the frame spilled some on the tilma. Most fabrics would have been eaten through by the acid, but all the image suffered was a light fading. Scientists have no explanation for how the image has survived so many years. It even survived a bomb that exploded beneath it in 1921.
Research has revealed that the eyes of the image contain two figures reflected in the same manner that a camera would reflect images. What's puzzling is that in the 1500s cameras did not exist. In 1979, experts studying infrared photos of the image determined that the image was not made by human hands.
Witnessing the devotion pilgrims exhibit as they make their way to the shrine — some on their knees, many carrying statues or pictures of Our Lady, some carrying flowers — is inspiring. On her feast day, the plaza outside the basilica is filled with people in indigenous costume dancing to the beat of drums.
Hispanic office pilgrims will celebrate Mass at the basilica on Dec. 11 and 12. Pilgrims also will visit the colonial town of Puebla, Mexico; the pyramids, the main plaza in Mexico City; the cathedral; the Museum of Anthropology and various churches.
Cost of the trip is $1,250 per person, which includes travel insurance, hotels, all tours and two meals a day. A $475 deposit by Aug. 15 secures early registration.
Those registering after Aug. 15 must pay the full cost to make reservations. Registrations will not be accepted after Sept. 10. Contact Erlinda Moscoso, 303-433-9013, for more information.
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