Mexico City: In an extraordinary display of faith and resilience, nearly 7,000 people with disabilities undertook a heartfelt pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s most revered Marian shrine. The spiritual march, which began at the Peralvillo Roundabout, concluded at the hallowed grounds where millions of Catholics each year honor the Virgin of Guadalupe.
The event was organized by México con Amor y Paz (“Mexico with Love and Peace”), a group dedicated to uplifting and integrating people with disabilities into the social and spiritual life of the nation. Pilgrims carried with them an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe along with a relic of Saint Jude Thaddeus, often invoked as the patron saint of desperate or impossible causes.
Organizers said the pilgrimage was not only an act of devotion but also a call for society to recognize the dignity, strength, and contributions of people with disabilities. “It is about building a culture of inclusion, while finding comfort in faith,” said one of the coordinators.
The initiative takes on deeper meaning against the backdrop of national statistics. According to the 2023 National Survey on Demographic Dynamics (ENADID), around 8.8 million Mexicans live with some form of disability, with mobility and visual impairments being the most common, affecting about 40% of the population surveyed.
For many participants, the journey symbolized more than religious tradition it was a message of perseverance and hope. Faithful who reached the shrine prayed for healing, acceptance, and a more compassionate society.
The Basilica of Guadalupe itself remains a beacon of devotion worldwide, rooted in the story of the 1531 apparition of the Virgin Mary to the Indigenous peasant Juan Diego. The miraculous image that appeared on his tilma (cloak) after presenting roses to the bishop continues to inspire millions and serves as the centerpiece of the shrine visited by pilgrims from every corner of the globe.
This year’s pilgrimage reaffirmed that, beyond the challenges of disability, faith continues to be a unifying force offering both solace and strength.