Mexico City : A lesser known part of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe is receiving renewed attention as pilgrims gather for this year’s feast. While the apparitions to saint juan diego took place on tepeyac hill in 1531, the moment when the miraculous image appeared on his cloak happened somewhere else entirely.
Historians and church researchers explain that the image was imprinted on the tilma at the residence of bishop juan de zumárraga, the first bishop of mexico. Juan diego had gone there to present the winter roses that the Virgin Mary asked him to carry as a sign. When he opened his cloak before the bishop, the flowers fell to the floor and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on the fabric.
The bishop’s home at the time stood next to what is now the metropolitan cathedral in mexico city. Although the structure has changed over the centuries, the location remains an important part of the guadalupe story. The building later became part of the old archbishop’s palace and now functions as a museum.
Church historian father josé de jesús aguilar notes that many pilgrims do not realize that this palace, not tepeyac hill, was the site of the miracle of the image. Efforts have been made to highlight the building’s role, including the creation of a sculpture of juan diego and bishop zumárraga blessed by st john paul ii. However, civil authorities did not allow the artwork to be placed at the exact historical spot.
Today the tilma with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is displayed in the basilica at tepeyac, drawing millions of visitors every year. The renewed interest in the original site where the image appeared offers a deeper understanding of one of the most beloved events in the Catholic faith.