Hundreds of thousands pay respects Mexico's patron saint
113 views · Published 18 December 2018 · 2:32 · Indexed 23 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(12 Dec 2018) Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flocked to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Wednesday to pay their respects to Mexico's patron saint. Around four million faithful from all over Latin America are expected to visit the Basilica during the two-day pilgrimage - a tradition that dates back five centuries. People carry images and statues of the "Virgen Morena" (dark-skinned virgin), as she is affectionately known, during their pilgrimage. Many believers knee-walk long distances in order to show their devotion or to thank the Guadalupe Virgin for miracles granted. The Virgin is said to have appeared to a native Mexican peasant named Juan Diego in December 1531. According to tradition, the peasant spoke to the local bishop, who asked for a sign to prove his vision's authenticity. It is said that days later, the image of Mary appeared miraculously on Juan Diego's apron when he was showing it to the bishop. The bishop ordered a church built, dedicated to Saint Mary of Guadalupe. The apron believed to have belonged to Juan Diego, containing the image of the Virgin, hangs above the altar in the New Basilica. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3ac5c18016a915fc1de3e3666fb204a5
