Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1908-03-19
GUADALUPE SHRINE.
TIA MOST DEARLY BELOVED spot
m OLD MEXICO.

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 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. 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 a cloud ap-
peared and In the midst Of 1t beauti-
full lady. She told him to 20 to the
bishop In her name and to tell him that
1t was her wish that a church should
be built on that spot whore 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 It. Upon his
return home the lady appeared again
In the same spot and urged Juan to 20
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 q sign
from the virgin Juan saw the virgin
again upon his return home. and she
promised to give him a sign, which she
did on Dec. IL az he was going to con-
fession. he passed this time near the
foot of the 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 be was to gather and carry in
his "tilma" to the bishop. Juan did as
be was told and found the loveIiest
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 tie
bishop and opensd the blanket the
roses fell to the door, and a picture in
colors appeared OF the blanket repre-
senting the virgin us she had appeared
to Juan. The bishop fell on his knees
In prayer and arose with a promise to
build chapel on tho spot the virgin
had designated
Bishop Zumarraga set about to build
the church. and when 1t was completed
the "tlma" 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 on which
the roses were gathered on the summit
and at the holy well where the virgin
last appeared to Juan. This miracle was
recognized in 1893. and In 1854 It was
fully sanctioned and confirmed by
papal bull Later. in 1924, congress de-
creed Dec. II to be a national holiday.
Hidalgo took a picture OF Guadalupe
for his standard, around which rallied
the nrst army OF the revolutionists,
and the happy issue that her assistance
gave to that war ondeared her still
more to the people. This picture on
the ''tilma" is q wonderful piece of
work. Artists from all over the world
have examined II and have testified
that 1t Is OF no known style OF painting.
The Indian garment OF ixtn 1ber is OF
a coarse weave. The picture appears
on both sides OF the cloth and is as
bright as new. although said to be over
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 1874 feet
long by 1o0 feet wide. 1t has a vaulted
roof. supported by Corinthian columns.
The whole IL surmounted by a dome,
the lantern Of which is 125 feet above
the floor. The building cost 81. ISL, 900.
The jewels. gold and silver plate and
other rich belongings nearly all belong
to the government and are estimated
at 81. 0oo.oo more.
AhS CnuTCu possesses very costly
crown for the virgin. It is OF solid
geld 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
are a number Of angels, each having an
immense ruby on the breast. while the
rest OF the surface Of the crown is cov-
cred with sapphirss and emeralds. This
crown Is surmounted by the Mexican
eagle, holding sleft q large diamond
cross.
The poor pilgrims are not able, many
OF them, to form an idea Of the rich
ness OF this church. with its commun-
ion rail and bGlustrsdss from the
sanctuary to the choir Of solid silver
They are three feet high. with q top
holding q foot wide and a still more
massive base. The sacred vessels are
all Of pure geld embedded with pre-
cious stones. The choir has some fine
carvings done In ebony and mahogany.
The finest is q basso relieve above the
stalls. illustrating the htany of the