Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe - The Miraculous Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe Status: Acheiropoieta (Image not made by human hands) (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) a name for the Virgin Mary who is said to have appeared at Tepeyac Hills in Guadalupe, a town near Mexico City. She appeared to a poor native American Chichimec peasant and farmer named Juan Diego. Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most popular cultural and religious icons in the Hispanic world. The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated each year by the Catholic Church on December 12, the anniversary of her appearance.  

The Miraculous Tilma is a supernatural object and a living miracle. It is the actual 16th-century cloak belonging to Saint Juan Diego, upon which the image of the Virgin Mary was instantaneously and miraculously imprinted. Unlike a painting or a title, the Tilma is a physical, indestructible proof of the divine, defying all laws of science, chemistry, and physics.Catholic Church. (n.d.). Miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe [PDF]. St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. https://smlj.org/documents/2022/7/Mary%20-%20Miraculous%20Image%20of%20Guadalupe.pdf

 Core Miraculous Facts 

 Impossible Fabric (Ayate): The material is fragile agave (cactus) fibers that usually decay in 20-30 years, the Tilma has not changed after centuries without enhancements made. The "iridescence" technique in the image changes in color slightly not possible to replicate by humans.
 Non-Human Artifice (Infrared Analysis): Original Tilma has no brushstrokes, sketches, or under-drawing. As well as no "sizing" (a protective primer) on the fabric, if any paint had been applied it would have bled through or rot the fibers. No cracking or peeling, common in dated paintings.Catholic Church. (n.d.). Miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe [PDF]. St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. https://smlj.org/documents/2022/7/Mary%20-%20Miraculous%20Image%20of%20Guadalupe.pdf
 Living Properties: Constantly stays at a human body temperature of 36.5°C (98.6°F) containing microscopic, living reflections in her eyes that reflect the witnesses present during the 1531 Marion Apparition. During the 20th Century- Doctors placed stethoscopes over the womb of the Tilma image and a heartbeat reported hearing fetal rhythmic sounds matching heartbeat of 115 bpm.
 Indestructibility: Survived a bomb blast on November 14,1921 that destroyed everything including the altar; before this incident someone accidentally spilled nitric acid, no damage occurred.
 Spiritual Revival: The divine presence of glorification of the Holy Spirit is within this Tilma cloth resulting in the historic conversion (amidst the Protestant Reformation), the largest mass conversion in human history, bringing 9 million souls to the faith replenished the loss of the split.
 Celestial Alignment: Not at random. The stars form a pattern on the Virgin Mary's mantle match the constellations during the time of the apparition. Astronomers observed and found an astronomical map.
 Date and time: The stars' position in the sky over Mexico City on December 12, 1531, at 10:40 AM are depicted in her blue mantle/cloak depicted in the image. This alignment documented the moment Saint Juan Diego opened his Tilma to show the Bishop the roses he collected and her image was revealed. 
 Perspective: The angle of the stars are from a Golden RatioOjeda Llanes, Fernando. La Morenita del Tepeyac: Sus Símbolos a la Luz de la Verdad. "God's-eye view". As if the perspective is looking down at the constellations from outside the galaxy.
 Constellations: Major constellations are present and positioned in exact accuracy i.e. Leo, Orion, Gemini, and the Big Dipper.
 Scientific Verification: Astronomers analyzed the evidence using computer models. Deeming the alignment's probability of occurring by chance mathematically impossible.

 Summary of Scientific Findings 
Science has found no natural explanation for why the Tilma continues to exist. 

Material Integrity: The cactus (agave fiber) naturally disintegrates within 20 to 30 years. However, nearly 500 years later it still remains unchanged, including over a century of exposure without protective glass from environmental disrupters.Catholic Church. (n.d.). Miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe [PDF]. St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. https://smlj.org/documents/2022/7/Mary%20-%20Miraculous%20Image%20of%20Guadalupe.pdf

No Human Process: Studies, including those by NASA consultant Dr. Philip Serna Callahan, in 1981Callahan, Philip Serna. The Tilma under Infra-red Radiation: An infrared and artistic analysis of the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Washington, D.C.: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), 1981., confirmed the image has no paint, pigments, dyes, brushstrokes, and no preliminary tracing. There is no known physical process tracing back to how this was made. 

Living Temperature: The fabric maintains a constant temperature between 36.6 and 37°C, the same as the internal temperature of a living human body.Catholic Church. (n.d.). Miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe [PDF]. St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. https://smlj.org/documents/2022/7/Mary%20-%20Miraculous%20Image%20of%20Guadalupe.pdf

Digital Scanning of the Eyes: Dr. José Aste Tonsmann, Cornell PhD in Environmental Engineering, analyzed the eyes in the Tilma by using digital scanning for satellite imagery, enlarging the imagery 2,500 times with 25,000 illuminated points per square mm.Aste Tonsmann, José. El Secreto de sus Ojos (The Secret of Her Eyes). Published by the Tercer Milenio, 2003.  

Dr. Tonsmann reported that the eyes reflect the 13 people (Bishop Zumárraga, interpreter Juan González, Juan Diego, a black slave girl, and an Indigenous family) when Saint Juan Diego presented the gathered Castilian roses held in his cloak/tilma, upon bringing the roses to show proof of his interaction, upon revealing the roses remained an image of the Virgin Mary.Aste Tonsmann, José. El Secreto de sus Ojos (The Secret of Her Eyes). Published by the Tercer Milenio, 2003.

Chemical Analysis: Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (1938), Richard Kuhn, in 1936 reviewed 2 fibers from the Tilma- one red, one yellow."Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe." 2022. PDF. St. Mary of the Lake Junior. https://smlj.org/documents/2022/7/Mary%20-%20Miraculous%20Image%20of%20Guadalupe.pdf. He did not publish his findings but they are documented in the Official Archives of the Basilica of Guadalupe and cited by the Centro de Estudios Guadalupanos. 

 The Story and Apparitions (1531) 

 The Appearance: December 9, 1531, the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous convert, and requested a church to be built in her honor on Tepeyac Hill.
 The Sign: After the Bishop requested a sign, she appeared again on December 12, directing Juan Diego to gather foreign roses blooming in winter on the snowy hill.
 The Miracle: Upon opening his cloak (tilma) before the bishop, the roses fell out, revealing the image of the Virgin Mary imprinted on the fabric.

 The 1921 Bombing and the "Bent Cross" 
November 14, 1921, intense religious persecution in Mexico was rampantly destroying Religious freedom, an anti-clerical communist extremist Luciano Perez Carpio placed a bomb hidden at the foot of the Tilma in a floral arrangement. Catholic Church. (n.d.). Miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe [PDF]. St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. https://smlj.org/documents/2022/7/Mary%20-%20Miraculous%20Image%20of%20Guadalupe.pdf

The Explosion: The blast shattered windows in the basilica and nearby homes— breaking glass within hundreds of meters, the explosion audible up to about a kilometer away.Orozco, A. (2009, August). Our Lady beyond scientific explanation [Conference presentation summary]. International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Crossroads Initiative. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/our-lady-beyond-scientific-explanation/​

The Miracle of Protection: Despite being a few feet from the center of the explosion, the Tilma and the glass protecting it remained intact.Orozco, A. (2009, August). Our Lady beyond scientific explanation [Conference presentation summary]. International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Crossroads Initiative. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/our-lady-beyond-scientific-explanation/​

The Santo Cristo del Atentado: A heavy brass crucifix at the altar shieled the Tilma bending backwards into a "U" shape. Many believe the Son protected His Mother by absorbing the shock of the blast. Displayed today in the Basilica as a physical testament to the event. Orozco, A. (2009, August). Our Lady beyond scientific explanation [Conference presentation summary]. International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Crossroads Initiative. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/our-lady-beyond-scientific-explanation/​

 The 1785 Nitric Acid Accident 
In 1785, a worker cleaning the silver frame of the Tilma, accidentally spilled a 50% nitric acid solvent onto the right side of the fabric. Orozco, A. (2009, August). Our Lady beyond scientific explanation [Conference presentation summary]. International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Crossroads Initiative. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/our-lady-beyond-scientific-explanation/​

The Physical Reality: Nitric acid is a highly corrosive substance that typically dissolves organic material, especially fragile cactus fibers.Orozco, A. (2009, August). Our Lady beyond scientific explanation [Conference presentation summary]. International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Crossroads Initiative. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/our-lady-beyond-scientific-explanation/​

The Result: Remaining unscathed. The acid did not destroy the fabric or the colored portions of the image. The exposure to the corrosive liquid, baffled scientists who noted this is "beyond any scientific explanation".Orozco, A. (2009, August). Our Lady beyond scientific explanation [Conference presentation summary]. International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe. Crossroads Initiative. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/our-lady-beyond-scientific-explanation/​

 Significance 

 Conversion: Millions of Aztec people converted to Catholicism, ending the practice of human sacrifice.Eternal Word Television Network. (n.d.). Our Lady of Guadalupe. EWTN. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/our-lady-of-guadalupe-424
 Cultural Symbol: Mestizo identity represented (blending of European and Indigenous cultures) a profound symbol of faith in Latin America and worldwide.

 Devotion and Prayers 
Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe is central to Mexican and Catholic culture, with millions visiting her Basilica in Mexico City. Prayers often focus on her as a mother of protection, such as asking for her intercession to end sickness or for help in times of trouble.

 Feast Day: December 12 is celebrated as her feast day. 
 Novena: December 4 to 12Diocese of Saginaw. (2024). Our Lady of Guadalupe novena and feast day. Diocese of Saginaw. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://saginaw.org/our-lady-guadalupe-novena-and-feast-day 
 Pray the traditional Memorare, used in many Guadalupe novenas: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions. You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.America Needs Fatima. (n.d.). Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. America Needs Fatima. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://americaneedsfatima.org/prayers/novena-to-our-lady-of-guadalupe  Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly to you, O Mary, ever‑Virgin, Mother of the true God and our Mother.  Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before you. We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness or misfortune, or any other sorrow.  O Virgin of Guadalupe, you want to remain with us through your admirable image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life. Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.  O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen.”
 Closing prayer: “O God, You have given us the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a sign of Your love. Through her intercession, grant me the grace to follow Your will, to love You above all things, and to persevere in hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”Diocese of Sacramento. (2020). Our Lady of Guadalupe novena [PDF]. Diocese of Sacramento. https://scd.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/Our%20Lady%20of%20Guadalupe%20Novena.pdf

Category:Roman Catholicism
Category:Christian symbols
Category:Mexico City
Category:Marian apparitions
Category:1531
Category:1530s in North America
For more information regarding research look into ISEGChávez, Eduardo, dir. Scientific Studies on the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mexico City: Instituto Superior de Estudios Guadalupanos (ISEG), Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, ongoing series (post-2003). Hosts comprehensive library including infrared, ophthalmological, and astronomical analyses (Instituto Superior de Estudios Guadalupanos) and CARA (The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) at Georgetown University, which published the original Callahan report.  Callahan, Philip Serna. The Tilma Under Infra-Red Radiation: An Infrared and Artistic Analysis of the Image of the Virgin Mary in the Basilica of Guadalupe. Washington, D.C.: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Georgetown University, 1981. (CARA Studies on Popular Devotion, Vol. II: Guadalupan Studies, Monograph no. 3)