The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-08-20
GUADALUPE SHRINE.
THE h,ST DEARLY BELOVED SPOT
IN OLD MEXICO.

Thousands From All Over the Coun-
try Blake PilgrimaSes to the Little
Village Each Year-The Story That
Ia Handed Down by Tradition.
There is no spot in all Mexico as
dearly beloved as the little town Of
Guadalupe, which is two and a half
miles north of the City Of Mexico.
The little village has only 5000 souls,
but many more thousands visit the
place on certain days in the year when
pilgrimages are made to the holy
shrine Of Guadalupe.
The 1st Of January and the 10Th Of
each month the faithful visit this place
and toll up the hill on which it is said
that the virgin Guadalupe appeared to
Juan Diego, an Indian boy.
According to tradition, Juan was
trudging over the hill Of Tepeyac on
his way to the city on the morning Of
Dec. 8, 1881, and as he reached the
eastern slope Of the hill he heard
sounds like music He stopped to lis
ten. and at that moment q cloud ap-
peared and in the midst Of it beauti-
full lady. She told him to 60 to the
bishop in her name and to tell him that
it was her wish that church should
be built on that spot, where she would
always be found to give aid to all in
h,,,.r Cd fn. ha
bishop with the story Of the virgin, but
no attention was paid to it. Upon his
return home the lady appeared again
in the same spot and urged Juan to go
again to the bishop.
The following day was the Sabbath,
and after mass Juan found the bishop
and repeated the message once more.
The bishop told him to bring sign
from the virgin Juan saw the virgin
again upon his return home. and she
promised to give him sign, which she
did on Dec. II as he was going to con-
fession. He passed this time near the
foot Of the hill, where she appeared
once more, and while In lversation
way of emphasis, and water flowed at
once from the dry, barren hillside. and
two holy wells mark that spot today.
The virgin then told Juan to climb to
the summit of that barren rocky hill
and be would find roses growing there,
which he was to gather and carry in
his "tilma" to the bishop. Juan did as
he was told and found The loveliest
roses growing just where she had told
him to search for them. He gathered
them all and placed them in his It'll
ma" a sort Of blanket.
When he arrived at the house of the
bishop and opened the blanket, the
roses fell to the floor. and a picture in
colors appeared on. the blanket repre-
senting the virgin as she had appeared
to Juan. The bishop fell on his knees
in prayer and arose with promise to
build "a chapel on the spot the virgin
had designated.
Bishop Zumarraga set about to build
the church. and when it was completed
the "tilma" was placed above the altar
in frame Of gold andsilver.
That little chapel has since been re-
placed by the magnificent church to be
seen today. There are also two other
churches to mark the spot on which
the roses were gathered on the summit
and at the holy we'll where the virgin
last appeared to Juan. This miracle was
recognized in 1863. and in 1854 it was
fully sanctioned and confirmed by
papal bull. Later. in 1924. congress de-
creed Dec - to be national holiday.
Hidalgo took picture Of Guadalupe
for his standard. around which rallied
the first army of the revolutionists,
and the happy issue that her assistance
gave to that war endeared her still
more to the people. This picture on
the ''tilma" is wonderful piece Of
work. Artists from all over the world
have examined it and have testified
that it is of no known style of painting.
The Indian garment Of iXtli fiber is of
q coarse weave. The picture appears
on both sides Of the cloth and is as
DrlSQl as new, dlluOuSu Sdlu " NC ONeA
300 years old. The Church Of Nuestra
Sonora de Guadalupe, in which this
marvellous picture hangs, is said by ex-
perts to be one Of the richest and hand
soonest on earth today. Its treasures
can be counted by millions. 1t was
dedicated May l, 100, and is 1S4 feet
long by 122 feet wide. 1t has q vaulted
roof, supported by Corinthian columns.
The whole is surmounted by dome,
the lantern Of which is 125 feet above
the floor. The building cost $1.1S1 600.
The jewels, gold and silver plate and
other rich belongings nearly all belong
to the government and are estimated
at 100000 more.
The church possesses very costly
crown for the virgin. 1t is Of solid
gold and weighs many pounds. There
are six shields on the crown for the
six archbishops of Mexico. and they
are all surrounded by diamonds. There