St. Juan Diego

Saint Juan Diego was a native Mexican Chichimeca peasant who is said to have been visited by the Virgin Mary in December 1531. According to tradition, she appeared to him as Our Lady of Guadalupe and requested that a shrine be built in her honor. When Juan Diego relayed this message to the local bishop, he was asked for a sign. The Virgin Mary instructed Juan Diego to gather roses in his tilma (cloak), and when he presented them to the bishop, an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted on the fabric. This event led to the widespread conversion of the indigenous people to Christianity. Juan Diego was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Feast Day is on December 9.

Patronage: Indigenous peoples of the Americas