The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-15
FESTIVAL OF GUADALUPE.
Origin of the National Religious Holt
day of Mexico.

ST. Louis Globe-Democrat
The greatest festival of local religious cell
ebration is that of the Virgin of Guadalupe,
which occurs on the 18th of Decembe', The
scenes at Guadalupe during the festival are
most typical of the Indians. For several
days the load leading 10 this Shrine has
been crowded with the faithful. The gath
ering is composed of the most motley ana
picturesque of crowds. At night this vast
mass of humanity bivouac. The proniscu-
Gus heap covers the enti-e plaza, the sur
rounding hills and the liortales. Many KIN
die fires, producing a most weird effect
The church at Guadalupe was built about
the beginning of the seventeenth century.
According to tradition. ON the 9Th CT De-
cember, 1881. Juan Diego an lndiap OF Guam
ing the hill of Pepeyacae he heard music
and, looking up. saw the Blessed NiTgins
who directed him TO go TO Bishop lunar
raga and tell him, III her name, TO bulld
church upon that hill. The Virgin thus
a6di ssed Juan: know my son, that am
the virgin Mary, mother of the true COD:
Ny iii is that a temple should be built
for 49,, on this spot, where you and all your
race win always be 5ble TO tin1 me and seek
my, aid in your troubles. Go TO the BISHOP mop:
and, in my name, tell him what you have
seen and heard. Tell hun, 100, that ii IS
my wish that church he built for me mere,
and for doing this you will be repaid with
The bishop demanded proofs of the APP
partition Juan described. ON the morning
of Dec. - the Virgin again appeared 10 Juan
and told him to cut some flowers from the
rock at his feet, wrap them i'll his serape
(blanket), and to show them TO 10 one untl
he stood before the bishop. When Juan un-
wrapped his serape in the presence or the
bishop a greater wonder WIS beheld imam
the flowers growing from the lock. 2
beautiful portrait of the Virgin appeared,
as though painted on the serape. The btsh-
op forthwith built chapel where the mirac-
ulous flowers had been picked and where
now stands the Collegiate Church OF Grada-
The alleged serape of Juan Diego. with its
miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin, is
i0P1Oead behind Mate glass in a frame over
the high altar. The crown OF the virgin or
Guadalupe was manufactured by Morgan,
the Paris jeweler. 1t is formed OF gold ana
gems contributed by the ladies' OF Mexico,
who. for this purpose, parted with JeWels
which were not only OF hlgh Vaiue, put
family heirlooms as well In the cost, there
fore which was about $30OO, That OF the
material is not included The crown is an
imperial diadem. The rim at the base con-
sists of twenty-five enameled shields, repre-
senting the twenty-five bishoprics OF Mex
ico Above comes circle or angels issuing
from roses Between the angels ana sup
ported by them are six enameied snlelds'
emblazoned with the arms of the six arch
bishoprics of Mexico. From the backs OF
the angels, extending to the apex Oh the
crown, are alternate festocns OF massive
gold rose leaves and diamond stars. THESE
cluster at the top under an enameled gloDe,
wherein Mexico and the gulf are represent
ed Above comes the Mexican eagle grasp
ing the globe with one talon While the other
holds aloft diamond cross. At the top or
the cross is q ring, whereby cherub holds
the crown above the picture The shields
are surrounded with diamonds and connect
ed by rows of sapphires and emeralds In the
breast of each angel flames a ruby. This
crown is the finest work of its kind
The 18th of December has been observed
by the Indians of Mexico as a religious feast
from the time of the alleged appartion, but
did not receive Papal sanction until 1754
Then, by Papal bull the festival was insti-
tuted and the Virgin of a Guadalupe was
declared the patroness and protectress or
New Spain. Upon the establishment of the
republic. in 1924, the 18th of December was
made national holiday. and Guadalupe has
been religious center ever since. The serv-
ices are most solemn. Crowds of faithful
kneel on the pare uOOr, wrapped III the ceep-
est devotion; the rich and poor here mngle
in the most promiscuous mass imaginable.
While the priests conduct the ceremonies
within the crowds without given UP to
every diversion known to Indian festivals.