In 1519, the Spanish began the conquest of the Aztec empire in Mexico and through battle and disease defeated the indigenous peoples. On December 9, 1531, an Aztec man is on his way to Mass when on a hilltop he hears birds singing and a woman’s voice call his name in his own language, “Juan Diego.” Juan turns and sees a beautiful woman with brown skin and dark eyes like his own, who is wearing a turquoise cloak covered with stars.
The woman explains that she is Mary, the holy Virgin and Mother of God. She asks Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on this hill in her honor. “In this place I will show all my love and compassion. I am a loving mother to all who live in this land. I will hear their prayers and heal their suffering.”
Juan leaves immediately to do as the Lady asks. After a long wait the bishop welcomes Juan and listens to his message but refuses to believe. Juan returns to the Lady. “You have sent me to walk in places where I do not belong,” he tells her. “You will have to send someone more important.”
“I have many servants, but I send you,” the Lady says and sends Juan to try again. This time the bishop asks Juan where he saw this lady and what she looks like. “Bring me a sign that proves she is the Mother of God,” he requests.
Juan tells the Lady that the bishop wants a sign. She tells him that he will find roses on the hilltop to take to the bishop.
Finding roses blooming in December surprises Juan. He cuts them, carries them to the bishop in his cloak (called a tilma), and explains how he found them on the hilltop where only cactus grow.
As Juan opens his tilma, the roses tumble to the floor and the bishop falls on his knees. Juan wonders why. Then he sees on his cloak the image of the Lady that spoke to him.
“I will build a church where the Mother of God has asked,” the bishop promises. The church still stands in Mexico City to this day and enshrines Juan Diego’s tilma.