I wonder if all the forums Catholics knew that.
I never knew the US had one. More widely familiar is The Virgin of Guadalupe; or Our Lady of Guadalupe.
It is a fascinating story. The Marian apparitions to the Azteca Juan Diego and his uncle Juan Bernadino in the whereabouts of present day Mexico City.
Saturday Dec 9th 1531 Juan Diego, born Cuauhtlatohuac, was on his way to mass when, by the hill of Tepeyac, Mary appeared to him in a cloud, in the form of an Indian maiden dressed as an Azteca Princess. The Holy Mother had a message for the Franciscan Bishop Juan de Zumarraga. She wanted a Church built at the spot. First Marian apparition
Juan Diego was only partially successful on this mission. The Bishop wanted some time to consider the matter.
A somewhat dejected Juan Diego- so it would seem from t he accounts- returned home. By the hill of Tepeyac the Holy Mother appeared to him again. Poor Juan Diego suggested to the Holy Mother that maybe some more deserving messenger than himself was needed, someone who would be more convincing to the Bishop. The Holy Mother insisted he return to the Bishop. Second apparition. Saturday Dec 9th.
Sunday December 10th 1531 Juan Diego managed to corner Bishop Juan de Zumarraga. This time the Bishop told Juan Diego that some sign, signs was needed. On his way back home the Holy Mother appeared to him again by Tepeyac hill. Poor Juan Diego was able to explain to the Holy Mother the fix he was in: that the Bishop insisted on somekind of sign. The Holy Mother promised to provide one the next day. Third apparition. Sunday Dec 10th. Third apparition.
Then Juan Diego's uncle, Juan Bernardino, fell ill. Seriously ill. Like ready to give up the ghost. This complicated things immensely for poor Juan Diego. For one, he needed a priest from another village to be around for his uncle's last rites. He may also have to avoid the Tepeyac hill lest the hostess of his apparitions accost him and divert him from his quest for a priest for his uncle's last rites. Best avoid the Tepeyac hill by taking another route. So Juan Diego was no show for the rendez vous with the Virgin on Monday Dec 11. He was catering to his uncle.
Tuesday Dec 12 Juan Diego headed to get the priest. Carefully avoiding Tepeyac hill. But it seems the Holy Mother had read his thoughts and accosted him on the route he had chosen to avoid Her. She gave him the sign to take to the Bishop: these were flowers she had him pick from the hillside, which he put in his Indian cloak. In the presence of the Bishop he opened the cloak. at which the flowers fell out. In the cloak was now an image of the Virgin. Fourth apparition Tues Dec 12.
On returning home Juan Diego all healed up and in all likelihood in excellent mood. Juan Bernardino told Juan Diego he had been the grateful host to the Virgin; who gave him another lease on life, as well as restoring his health. Fifth apparition
