La Basilica de Guadalupe

19-Jul-2022 • Mexico City Mexico

Seeing the Basilica de Guadalupe was high on our must sees upon arriving at the Mexican capital. Google any list of top attractions for Mexico City and the Basilica ranks high in the list. Thus, on our second full day of vacation, we called for an UBER ride and off we went. Considering the distance of the famous basilica from the city center, we were pleasantly surprised we were charged much less than the equivalent of $20.

There were hundreds of visitors when we arrived. We must have stayed around an hour and a half visiting the new basilica and the other small churches in the vicinity. It was so hot which made our tour rather uncomfortable.

Anyway, these were some of the pictures we took.

The new Basilica de Guadalupe

El Carrillon or Bell and Clock Tower

On December 9, 1531, Mary appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill while he was on his way to mass. She asked him to approach the bishop and request that a shrine be built to her there, where she woul bless those who called upon her. However, when Juan Diego requested this of the bishop, the bishop demanded proof of the vision.

Juan Diego returned to the hill, where roses were blooming, though it was almost winter. He picked some of the flowers and brought them in his cloak to the bishop. When he opened his cloak, the flowers fell out and an image of the Blessed Mother was imprinted on it. The bishop then gave his blessing, and a new chapel was built on the hill.

Juan Diego's cloak was placed in the chapel, and he lived in a small dwelling near the chapel for the rest of his life, serving as its caretaker, greeting pilgrims, and spending time in prayer and devotion. In 1548, he passed away and was buried in the chapel. (Text taken from The Basilica website)