About the Saint:

St. Juan Diego, original name Cuauhtlatoatzin, 1474-1548

Little is known of the early life of Juan Diego, whose original name was Cuauhtlatoatzin (“the Talking Eagle”). He was married but had no children. When he was 50 years old, he and his wife were among the first indigenous people to be baptized and convert to Catholicism, after its introduction to the area by Spanish Missionaries.

According to tradition, Juan Diego experienced his first vision of the Virgin Mary on December 9, 1531. While on his way to Mass, he was visited by Our Lady of Guadalupe, who was surrounded in heavenly light, on Tepeyac Hill on the outskirts of what is now Mexico City. She spoke to him in his native language and asked him to tell the Bishop to build a shrine to her on the hill. The Bishop did not believe Juan Diego’s story and asked for proof that Mary had appeared to him. On December 12, while searching for a priest to administer last rites to his uncle, Juan Diego was visited by Mary again. He told her of the Bishop’s answer, and she instructed him to gather roses and take them to the bishop as a sign. She also informed Juan Diego that his uncle would recover from his illness. Juan Diego found many roses on the hill even though it was winter. When he opened his tilma (cloak) while appearing before the bishop, dozens of roses fell out, and an image of Mary, imprinted on the inside of his cloak, became visible. Having received his proof, the bishop ordered that a church be built on Tepeyac Hill in honor of the Virgin. Juan Diego returned home and found his uncle’s health restored.