“Another account is the Codex Escalada, dating from the sixteenth century, a sheet of parchment recording apparitions of the Virgin Mary and the figure of Juan Diego, which reproduces the glyph of Antonio Valeriano alongside the signature of Fray Bernardino de Sahagún. It contains the following glosses: “1548 Also in that year of 1531 appeared to Cuahtlatoatzin our beloved mother, the Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Cuahtlatoatzin died worthily”[39]- Wikipedia

There were five apparitions, and the fourth one was the miracle of Juan Diego’s dying uncle. When asked why Juan Diego did not show up at their appointed meeting with the Virgin Mary, Juan Diego responded he had to take care of his sick uncle by requesting the town’s folk healer, but it did not work.

The Virgin Mary, in a gift of the apparition, asked the fifth time and told Juan Diego that she wanted a chapel built for people to pray. Juan Diego responded that the Archbishop requested to provide proof of the Virgin Mary’s existence. Juan Diego was heard but not believed and rebuffed by the Archbishop and his staff.

Local tour guide, Ricardo Gomez, described the fifth apparition as Juan Diego being asked by the Virgin Mary to go to the Tepeyac Hill, where he was to gather Castilian Roses. Juan Diego was intentionally going the other way, opposite where the prior apparitions happened to avoid Virgin Mary.

Juan Diego said no roses grew there, only cactus bushes. Still, he went and saw various colors of Castilian roses. To fulfill the Virgin Mary’s wish, Juan Diego harvested the roses and used sisal cloth to wrap them. Juan Diego was accompanied by a witness, per Archbishop’s request.

Shortly after, the colors of the roses dropped out, and the colors formed an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Juan Diego’s shirt.

This photo was taken inside the Indian indigenous chapel. As soon as I saw it, I wept. I asked St. Juan Diego to intercede for us and Our Lady of Guadalupe to grant us world peace, and healing for my sister, Rachel, and classmates @Linda Rozales and @Elsa Azote.

Fr. Joel Bugas celebrated mass here and gave a meaningful homily, despite 14 hours now of travel from New Mexico. He gave Communion to 38 pilgrims from Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He reminded us that we are pilgrims, not tourists who would prioritize shopping, complaining, and photos. We are here to pay and give respect and reverence, and for me, gratitude for Our Lady of Guadalupe has lifted two huge burdens in my life.

I was so grateful for the gift of healing for my loved one years ago, whose back surgery was successful, and the gift of conversion from a very hostile, toxic workplace to a more conducive workplace from my white male superiors 15 years ago.

The day ended at 17 hours with a beautiful mariachi band; some of us even danced, while others, like tourists, complained.

Still, the best example of grace, humanity, and a joyful attitude was Fr. Joel and our tour organizer, Lou. Anytime I join Lou’s pilgrimage, she takes us from three stars to five-star places. Tonight is a decent place with birds chirping in the morning, and when you open the window, it looks out to the patio of green plants.

What a glorious encounter of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego. Gracias!- Prosy Delacruz

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