"Our Lady of Guadalupe, or the Virgin of Guadalupe, is a Catholic title for Mary, mother of Jesus. This title is linked to five apparitions that allegedly appeared to a Mexican peasant, Juan Diego, and his uncle, Juan Bernardino, in December 1531 during the Spanish rule in Mexico.
1910: Use of Our Lady of Guadalupe Image in Mexican Revolution
Emiliano Zapata used flags bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during the Mexican Revolution of 1910, signifying her as a symbol of national unity.
1912: Emiliano Zapata's Army Carries Guadalupan Banners
In 1912, Emiliano Zapata's peasant army, fighting for land reform during the Mexican Revolution, carried Guadalupan banners as they entered Mexico City.
November 14, 1921: Bombing of the Basilica
On November 14, 1921, an anti-Catholic individual placed a bomb inside the Basilica. While the explosion damaged the altar and a crucifix, the tilma with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe remained unharmed, an event considered miraculous by devotees.
1947: First Restoration Work on the Image
Art restorer José Antonio Flores Gómez began his work on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1947.
1947: Discovery of Damage and Touch-Ups on the Image
During his 1947 examination, Flores Gómez discovered cracks in the paint and signs of earlier touch-ups on the image. This led him to believe the image was of human origin.
1966: Cesar Chavez Leads Pilgrimage with Our Lady of Guadalupe Banner
In 1966, Cesar Chavez, leader of the United Farm Workers Union, led a pilgrimage for farm workers' rights under a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, merging religious devotion with social justice activism.
1973: Second Restoration Work on the Image
José Antonio Flores Gómez conducted a second round of restoration work on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1973.
1974: Octavio Paz Highlights Mexicans' Faith in Guadalupe
In 1974, Nobel laureate Octavio Paz wrote that "The Mexican people...have faith only in the Virgin of Guadalupe and the National Lottery," underscoring the Virgin's central place in Mexican identity.
1976: Relocation of the Image to the New Basilica
Upon completion of the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City in 1976, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was placed in a golden frame above the main altar, where it remains a focal point for devotees.
1979: Infrared Photography of the Tilma
In 1979, Philip Serna Callahan examined the tilma (the cloth with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe) using infrared photography. The examination suggested that the artist might not have used preliminary sketches, a detail considered remarkable by some.
1981: Infrared Examination of the Image
Philip Serna Callahan and Jody Brant Smith used infrared light to examine the image in 1981. They couldn't find any signs of underdrawings. While they noted additions and touch-ups, the original parts of the image remained unexplained.
1982: Analysis of the Tilma by José Sol Rosales
José Sol Rosales studied the image in 1982 and concluded the tilma was made of linen and hemp, prepared with white paint. He identified the use of various tempera styles and pigments common in 16th-century Mexico. Rosales also observed touch-ups and repainting on the image.
1987: Juan Diego Declared "Venerable"
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints declared Juan Diego "venerable" in 1987, recognizing his life of heroic virtue.
May 6, 1990: Beatification of Juan Diego
Pope John Paul II beatified Juan Diego on May 6, 1990, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. He was declared the "protector and advocate of the indigenous peoples," with December 9th becoming his feast day.
1991: Sandra Cisneros Publishes "Little Miracles, Kept Promises"
In 1991, Sandra Cisneros published "Little Miracles, Kept Promises," a short story exploring the syncretism of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Aztec goddess Tonantzin, highlighting the Virgin's complex cultural significance.
1994: Consuelo Jimenez Underwood Creates Artworks on Immigration
In 1994, artist Consuelo Jimenez Underwood produced "Sacred Jump" and "Vigen de los Caminos," embedding and reinterpreting the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in artworks addressing immigration politics.
1995: Discovery of Codex Escalada
In 1995, Father Xavier Escalada announced the discovery of Codex Escalada. This document, dated 1548, contains an account of Juan Diego's vision and notations about his life in Nahuatl, signed by notable figures, lending credence to the narrative.
1995: Discovery of Codex Escalada
In 1995, a parchment called the Codex Escalada, thought to be from the 16th century, was found. It depicts Juan Diego and the Virgin Mary's apparition, along with inscriptions in Nahuatl. The document's authenticity is debated among scholars.
1995: EZLN Names Mobile City After Virgin Guadalupe
In 1995, the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) named their "mobile city" Guadalupe Tepeyac, highlighting the Virgin's enduring significance in Mexican revolutionary movements.
1996: Resignation of Abbot Guillermo Schulenburg
Abbot Guillermo Schulenburg resigned from his position at the Basilica of Guadalupe in 1996. This followed an interview where he expressed doubts about Juan Diego's historical existence, causing controversy.
1997: Publication of Codex Escalada Findings
Findings about the Codex Escalada were included in an appendix to Father Xavier Escalada's Guadalupe encyclopedia in 1997, furthering the discussion about its implications.
1999: Proclamation of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Patroness and Protectress
Pope John Paul II bestowed upon Our Lady of Guadalupe the titles of "Patroness of the Americas," "Empress of Latin America," and "Protectress of Unborn Children" in 1999.
1999: Proclamation of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Patroness and Protectress
The Catholic Church officially declared Our Lady of Guadalupe as the "Patroness of the Americas," "Empress of Latin America," and "Protectress of Unborn Children" in 1999.
2002: Flores Gómez Discusses Restoration Work
In 2002, José Antonio Flores Gómez, in an interview with the magazine Proceso, broke his silence about the restoration work he carried out on the image.
2009: Record Pilgrimage to Basilica of Guadalupe
In 2009, a record 6.1 million pilgrims visited the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City to commemorate the anniversary of the apparition, demonstrating the Virgin's enduring global appeal.
2010: Ester Hernandez Creates "Wanted" Screen Print
In 2010, artist Ester Hernandez created the screen print "Wanted," incorporating the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to comment on immigration politics.
2013: Documentary Investigates Our Lady of Guadalupe
The documentary "The Blood & The Rose," directed by Tim Watkins, investigated the image and alleged apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2013.