Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-08-25
GUADALUPE SHRINE,
THE MOST DEARLY BELOVED SPOT
IN OLD MEXICO.

dearly beloved as the little town Of
Guadalupe, which is two and 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
pllgrimages are made to the holy
shrine Of Guadalupe.
The LIST of January and the 18th of
each month the faithful visit this place
and toll up the hill on which 1t 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. o, 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 cloud ap-
peared and in the midst of 1t beauti-
ful lady. She told him to 60 to the
bishop In her name and to tell him that
1t was her wish that church should
DO built on that spot, where she would
always be found to give aid to all in
trouble Juan Diego hurried to the
bishop with the story of the virgin, but
no attention was paid to 1t. 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. IL as he was going to con-
fession. He passed this time near the
foot Of tho hill, where she appeared
once more. and while In conversation
with Juan she stamped her foot by
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 he 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" 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 virNn
had designated. |
4 Bishop Zumarraga set about to build
the church, and when 1t was completed
the "tilma" was placed above the altar
In frame Of gold and silver.
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 Oh which
the roses were gathered on the summit
and at the holy well where the virgin
disappeared to Juan. This miracle was
recognized in 1868, and in 1854 1t . al
fully sanctioned and confirmed By q
creed Dec. IL to be national holiday.
Hidalgo took n picture of Guadalupe
for his standard, around which ralliet
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 ol
the 'tllma" is a wonderful piece o
teta oil hA
have examined 1t and have testified
that it Is of no known style of painting
The Indian garment of iXtli fiber is o
a coarse weave. The picture appear
: on both sides of the cloth and is n
: bright as new, although said to be owe
300 years old. The Church Of Nuestr
Sonora de Guadalupe. in which thi
marvellous picture hangs, is said by eS
perts to be one Of the richest and hand
r soonest on earth today. Its treasure
S can be counted by millions. 1t wa
!. dedicated May 1, 1T09. and is 1S4 fec
, long by 100 feet wide. 1t has vaulte
). roof, supported by Corinthian columns
The whole Is surmounted by dom
!. the lantern of which is 125 feet abo1
~ tllt uOOT. l. ut uuilulus Soot FasioA'oo
!, The Jewels, gold and silver plate an
: other rich belongings nearly all belon
to the government and are estimate
at So 200O, 900 more.
The church possesses very cost
crown for the virgin. 1t is Of sol
gold and weighs many pounds. The
are six shields on the crown for Il
elk archbishops of Mexico, and the
are all surrounded by diamonds. The
are a number of angels, each having Q
= Immense ruby OH the breast, while Il
rest of the surface of the crown is co
cred with sapphires and emeralds. Th
crown Is surmounted by the Mexict
eagle. holding aloft a large diamoI
!. cross,
a The poor pilgrims are not able, maj
y Of them, to form an idea of the ric
L nessNof this church, with its commu
o ion rail and balustrades from I
D. sanctuary to the choir of solid silv'
They are three feet high, with a t
molding foot wide and still mo
"a massive base. The sacred vessels a
oil OF pure gold embedded with pl
N cious stones, The choir has some Il
a. carvings done In ebony and mahogar
V The finest is basso relieve above I
:. stalls, illustrating the litany of
|. virgin.
y Artists were brought from France
/ t..At "a. At.s, lie n nd