Virgin Mary of Guadalupe Day in Mexico (12/12)

On December 12, pilgrims from all over Mexico gather at the gates of the country's religious center — Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, located in the northern part of the capital Mexico City. People pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe (whom Mexicans respectfully call «Our Senora Guadalupe» — «Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe»). After the mass, folk festivities begin. What would we do without them? Mexicans — are some of the most avid fiesto lovers in the world...

This day began to be considered a national holiday in 1859. The holiday symbolizes the strengthening of the Catholic faith in the lands of Mexico. Faith was brought by the Spaniards, who first tried to forcefully instill the idea of a single god, alien to the Indians. The struggle between religions continued until the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to one of the Indians —, Juan Diego —. From that date, Mexico's religious history changed.

On December 12, 1531, a young Indian, Juan Diego, was on his way to Tepeyac Hill when suddenly the sky above him lit up with a bright light and the Virgin Mary appeared before him. He later described her as a «-young girl with black hair and dark skin who looked more like an Indian girl than a white». She ordered him to go to the priest and ask him to build a church on Tepeyac Hill... But the priest did not believe the words of the Indian and did not fulfill his request.

A few days later, the Virgin Mary reappeared to Juan Diego and told him to collect a bouquet of flowers from the top of the hill. And since it was winter outside and there were no flowers, the young man was surprised, but still climbed the hill. Imagine his surprise when he discovered a whole field of beautiful flowers there! Juan Diego picked up an armful of flowers and went to the priest again. When he unfurled his cape in front of the clergyman, in which he wrapped the flowers, the image of the Virgin Mary appeared before the eyes of both, miraculously manifesting itself on the fabric of the cape. Then, finally, the priest believed the words of the young Indian and began building the Basilica in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe…

Today, thousands of people come to Mexico City just to visit the place where the Virgin of Guadalupe once appeared to the surrounding residents. Now December 12 is the — day of traditional Mexican music and dance festivals. Pilgrims march through the city with bouquets of flowers in their hands (symbolic gifts for the Virgin Mary). Some of them, especially pious ones, make their way along the stone road to the Basilica on their knees, praying for a miracle to be accomplished or offering thanksgiving prayers to the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.

At the end of the church service, it is time to set festive tables, place trays with souvenirs, and organize street performances with music and dancing. All this happens in the main square of Mexico City. In some parts of the city, altars are built from flowers in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. On this holiday there is room even for such dangerous fun as rodeos and bullfights.

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