Millions Celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe Day in Mexico

Millions of Mexican Catholics celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe Day on Thursday, December 12.

Although the date is celebrated for several days, the celebrations reach their peak on December 12th, as devotees believe that it was precisely on this day, in 1531, that Our Lady of Guadalupe made her last appearance to the Indian Saint Juan Diego and it occurred the miracle that stamped his image on the cloak that is now venerated in the Basilica of Guadalupe, in Mexico City.

It is precisely in this sanctuary - as you can see in the gallery above - that many pilgrims gather after walking hundreds of kilometers.

But the displays of devotion don’t stop there. Processions in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe are held throughout the country. There are those who do it by car, by boat or on foot. What matters is to honor the Virgin.

From the Vatican, during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, Pope Francis remembered the "patroness of the Americas." According to the Catholic website Canção Nova, Francis gave a "brief and spontaneous" homily, without a prior text, where he highlighted the Virgin's message.

"Mary's motherhood is manifested in the beauty of the roses that the Indian finds and carries; and it works the miracle of bringing faith to the somewhat incredulous hearts of the prelates," said the Holy Father, inviting everyone to live the "mystery of Guadalupe." , with confidence in the presence of Mary in the lives of believers, "in difficult moments, in happy moments, in everyday life".

"Do not be afraid: am I not here, I who am your Mother? This is the message of Guadalupe. The rest is ideology", concluded the Supreme Pontiff.

Although the celebrations in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe are a moment of happiness for Mexicans, there is a problem that occurs year after year near the Basilica of Guadalupe. Many pilgrims abandon their animals after the hikes.

In addition to this problem, the country continues to be plagued by the scourge of violence related to gangs and drug trafficking. Even at this time, kidnappings, assaults and homicides do not cease.