2. The Guadalupe Miracle
THE APPARITIONS
The stars were still shining brightly in the black sky of that cold, early morning, as 57 year old Juan Diego set out on a fifteen mile walk to attend Mass. Skirting around a low hill, he was surprised to hear soft music floating down from the top of the hill, and even more surprised to hear a beautiful melodious voice calling to him, ”Juan, Juanito”.
Climbing to the top of the hill, he blinked in disbelief at the sight of a beautiful young lady, surrounded by a golden mist.
She spoke to him gently, to set him at ease, and then told him that she was the “Ever-Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God”, and that she wished to have a Temple built on that spot. “Go to the Bishop’s place in Mexico City, and tell him what I desire.”
With great misgivings, fearful of his lowly status and that the Bishop may not deign to see him, a poor Indian, he withdrew, promising Our Lady he would try.
Juan descended the hill, and continued his long walk to Mexico City, and on to the Bishop’s Palace. The Bishop’s servants kept him waiting for hours before they finally allowed him in to see the Bishop, who was of course, a very important person.
Juan’s words had to be translated by the Bishop’s interpreter into Spanish, and after listening to him, the Bishop told him to call again later on. In doing so, he gave Juan the definite impression that he had been completely disbelieved.
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