Many of us are familiar with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe – the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by light, standing on a crescent moon held up by an angel, clothed in a turquoise mantle that is embellished with stars. But how did this image come to be so revered? To understand, we must go to the outskirts of Mexico City, on a winter morning in December 1531, when a simple, humble man made his way to Mass, unaware that his life would be forever changed.

The route he traveled brought him around the side of Tepeyac Hill. As he passed, he heard beautiful singing. Startled, he thought to himself, “By any chance am I worthy, have I deserved what I hear?” Moments later, he heard someone call his name. He climbed to the top of Tepeyac Hill, where he saw a beautiful woman, dressed as an Aztec, who asked him (in his native language) where he was going. Juan’s response acknowledged that this was an encounter with the Blessed Mother: “My Lady, my Queen, my Beloved Maiden! I am going as far as your little house in Mexico-Tlatelolco, to follow the things of God.”