Pilgrims Flock to Mexico's Basilica for Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today, Catholics in Mexico are celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to the belief, almost 500 years ago, the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous man named Juan Diego near present-day Mexico City. Every year, millions of faithful make a pilgrimage to the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe to offer their prayers and pay their respects. According to ancient writings in the Nahuatl language, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego multiple times between December 9 and 12 in 1531. She instructed him to build a chapel in her honor on a hill that was once the site of an Aztec temple to the goddess Tonantzin. Juan Diego took the Virgin's request to the local bishop, who was skeptical and asked for a sign. Juan Diego then gathered roses in his cloak, and when he presented them to the bishop, an image of the Virgin was miraculously imprinted on the fabric. This convinced the bishop to build a shrine to the Virgin. Since then, pilgrimages to the shrine and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe have been held annually without interruption. The faithful come from all parts of Mexico, some even traveling from as far as Chiapas in the south of the country. Many pilgrims carry statues of the Virgin on their backs. Our Lady of Guadalupe is especially revered by indigenous Mexicans, who also hold the memory of Juan Diego in high regard. In 2002, he was canonized and became the first indigenous saint of the Americas. During the feast day, many pilgrims camp in front of the shrine and participate in overnight and early morning Masses. Some demonstrate their devotion by approaching the basilica on their hands and knees. The moment when they finally reach the shrine is filled with deep emotions for many of the faithful. The pilgrimage is often a family affair, with even young children taking part in this annual tradition.