Our Lady of Guadalupe
Stored in Cargo: Our Lady of Guadalupe
| Liturgical Feast | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 12 |
| Rank | Feast |
| Type | Fixed |
| Season | Advent |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
| Countries | Mexico; Americas (patroness) |
| Dioceses | Archdiocese of Mexico |
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a feast in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church that commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on Tepeyac Hill in 1531, during which she left her miraculous image on his tilma. Celebrated on December 12, it falls during Advent and holds the rank of feast in the universal General Roman Calendar, though it is a solemnity in Mexico and many dioceses across the Americas. According to Vatican recognition, Our Lady of Guadalupe is Patroness of the Americas, Empress of Latin America, and Protectress of Unborn Children.
The apparition narrative, recorded in the *Nican Mopohua* (c. 1556), recounts Mary's request for a temple and the miraculous blooming of Castilian roses in winter, culminating in the image's appearance bearing indigenous and messianic symbolism. Though not a Holy Day of Obligation universally, it is one of the most widely observed Marian feasts in the world, drawing millions of pilgrims annually. Liturgical tradition holds this feast as a celebration of inculturated evangelization and maternal protection, distinct from the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
In contemporary observance, the feast fosters unity among diverse Hispanic communities and promotes life issues, as emphasized by papal visits. Evidence from the 1666 canonical inquiry and 1754 papal coronation confirms its historical authenticity. This reflects the Church’s commitment to verifiable tradition while nurturing devotion in shrines worldwide under Vatican guidance.
Liturgical observance
The liturgical color is white (or blue in some Mexican dioceses with indult).[1] In the universal calendar it is ranked as a feast; in Mexico and many U.S. dioceses with Hispanic populations it is elevated to solemnity with proper Gloria and Creed.[2]
Proper readings (Lectionary no. 690A or 691) include the first reading from Zechariah 2:14–17 or Revelation 11:19a; 12:1–6a, 10ab; the responsorial psalm from Judith 13:18bcde, 19 ("You are the highest honor of our race"); and the Gospel from Luke 1:26–38 (Annunciation) or Luke 1:39–47 (Visitation).[3] The Missale Romanum (third edition, 2002) provides a proper Mass formulary; the Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary I ("On the feast day") is used. In Mexico, *Las Mañanitas* are sung to the Virgin at midnight, followed by processions and dances (*matachines*, *concheros*).
History
The apparitions occurred from December 9–12, 1531, with the final image appearing on Juan Diego’s tilma on December 12. The first shrine was dedicated in 1532; the image was canonically crowned by Pope Benedict XIV in 1754.[4] Pope John Paul II declared Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of the Americas in 1999 and beatified Juan Diego in 2002, canonizing him the same year.[5]
The 2002 *General Roman Calendar* established December 12 as a feast for the universal Church; local hierarchies may elevate it. The modern basilica (1974–1976) replaced earlier structures and is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
Theological significance
The image’s symbolism—dark-skinned Virgin pregnant beneath the sun, moon, and stars—fulfills Revelation 12:1 and indigenous expectations of a merciful mother goddess transformed by the Gospel.[6] The *Catechism of the Catholic Church* (no. 971) cites approved apparitions as aids to faith; Pope Francis has called Guadalupe “the great missionary who brought the Gospel to our America.”[7]
The feast highlights Mary as Star of the New Evangelization and protector of life, especially the unborn, as affirmed by St. John Paul II in *Ecclesia in America* (no. 11).
Veneration and traditions
Universal customs include midnight *Mañanitas*, rose offerings, pilgrimages on foot or knee to the basilica, and Aztec-influenced dances performed as acts of thanksgiving. In the United States, processions with the image, bilingual Masses, and communal meals are widespread. Devotional practices include the *Nican Mopohua* novena and consecration prayers; many wear tilma replicas or carry roses. The feast has become a cultural symbol of Mexican and Latino identity while remaining deeply Catholic.
Significant locations
Dynamic content
Parishes
Media
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
List of shrines
Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- The most visited Catholic shrine in the world, built 1974–1976 over the original apparition site, it houses the miraculous tilma in the Archdiocese of Mexico.[8] Plenary indulgence granted on December 12 and for approved pilgrimages (Canon 1230).
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Des Plaines
- Replica of Tepeyac hill in Illinois, inaugurated 1999, hosts over two million pilgrims annually on December 11–12 under the Archdiocese of Chicago.[9] Plenary indulgence available on the feast.
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Juan, Texas
- Elevated to minor basilica in 2022, it serves as a regional center for Guadalupan devotion in South Texas.[10]
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Doral, Florida
- Designated diocesan shrine by the Archdiocese of Miami, known for large December 12 celebrations and perpetual adoration.
References
- ↑ "Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12, 2025". Catholic Culture. December 12, 2025. https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2025-12-12.
- ↑ USCCB "Our Lady of Guadalupe". Accessed November 16, 2025. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/december-12-our-lady-of-guadalupe USCCB.
- ↑ "Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. December 12, 2025. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121225.cfm.
- ↑ "Address on the 275th Anniversary of the Coronation". Vatican. July 31, 2009. https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2009/july/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20090731_nostra-aetate.html.
- ↑ "Homily at Canonization of St. Juan Diego". Vatican. July 31, 2002. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20020731_canonization-mexico.html.
- ↑ Carl Anderson & Eduardo Chávez (2009). Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love. Doubleday. ISBN 978-0385527729.
- ↑ "Homily on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2014". Vatican. December 12, 2014. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20141212_omelia-guadalupe.html.
- ↑ "Official Basilica Site". Accessed November 16, 2025. https://www.virgendeguadalupe.org.mx/.
- ↑ "Official Shrine Site". Accessed November 16, 2025. https://olgshrine.org/.
- ↑ "Official Site". Accessed November 16, 2025. https://guadalupeshrinechurch.org/.