In these churches the Virgin of Guadalupe is venerated outside of Mexico

The Virgin of Guadalupe, a symbol of Mexican Catholicism, is venerated in temples around the world. His message has transcended cultures, and his image is found in numerous places where millions of faithful pay tribute to him. Below, we present some of the emblematic sites for Catholicism and other little-known ones where its devotion is honored.

The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared three times before the indigenous San Juan Diego on the Tepeyac hill, north of Mexico City, from December 9 to 12, 1531, expressing her desire for a Catholic temple to be built there. flat, at the foot of the mountain.

At the request of the Virgin, Juan Diego took the request to the first Bishop of Mexico, the Franciscan Fray Juan de Zumárraga. As proof of the veracity of the apparitions, the Indian brought the cut flowers of a rose bush that miraculously appeared in Tepeyac.

When she opened her tilma to present the flowers, those present saw that the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was printed on the fabric. The original tilma of San Juan Diego with the image of Santa María is currently preserved in the Basilica of Guadalupe, at the foot of Tepeyac.

St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

In St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican there is a special chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. This is located in the Vatican grottoes, near the remains of Saint John Paul II, the same Pontiff who canonized Saint Juan Diego, the visionary of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

In 1992, Saint John Paul II inaugurated this chapel.

In France, Lourdes and the Notre Dame Cathedral

In France, two of the emblematic temples of French Catholicism honor the Virgin of Tepeyac.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, famous for the Marian apparitions there, houses a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Located on the left arm of the Basilica of the Rosary, this chapel received the image of the Virgin on May 12, 1966 thanks to a Mexican family, in collaboration with the Basilica of Guadalupe and the Sanctuary of Lourdes.

According to him sanctuary websitethe sculptor Eduardo Tamariz created two images of Santa María de Guadalupe: one in bronze, which is found in this chapel; and another in marble, located in the Chapel of Reconciliation of the same sanctuary.

In 1948, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris inaugurated a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. The image was commissioned from the Vatican Mosaic Factory with the same dimensions as the original tilma and received the blessing of Pope Pius XII. In 1949, the Virgin was crowned in this cathedral with an 18-karat gold crown, adorned with pearls and emeralds.

Since 2013, the image of San Juan Diego, seer of the Virgin, has accompanied La Morenita in this cathedral. Despite the devastating fire in April 2019, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was not damaged.

Sanctuary of Aparecida in Brazil

In Brazil is the Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida, one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the world. A monument was erected there this year in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

According to Vatican Newsthis work consists of an original size mosaic that reproduces the image of the Virgin as it appeared on the tilma of San Juan Diego. It was created by the Italian company Friul Mosaic, and includes roses that represent the Latin American countries under its protection.

USA

In the United States, several Marian shrines have chapels dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, reflecting the deep devotion to her and her role as a symbol of Catholic identity.

Among the most notable is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, which houses a chapel with an imposing mosaic image of the Virgin. In New York, St. Patrick’s Cathedral also offers a space dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, where the faithful practice daily devotions. Additionally, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, built under the direction of Cardinal Raymond Burke, is a center completely dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Holy Land

The Basilica of the Annunciation, located in Nazareth (Israel), is a central site of Christianity, as it marks the place where, according to tradition, the archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. This sanctuaryor also houses an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

On the other hand, in the Duc in Altum, the main church of the Magdala Center in Galilee, northern Israel, designed to honor Mary Magdalene, is the Atrium of Women. This space has eight columns that are engraved with the names of the women who followed Jesus. On the ceiling of the atrium, you can see a representation of the hands of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Australia

Marian Valley, is an important Catholic pilgrimage site dedicated to Marian devotion, especially the invocation of Our Lady Help of Christians, located in Canungra within the Archdiocese of Brisbane in Australia.

This space houses more than 40 chapels that reflect the cultural diversity of the faithful. Among them, one stands out dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Latin America, where the faithful pay tribute and participate in liturgical celebrations in her honor.

In Sydney, Australia, The Good Shepherd parish in the community of Plumpton annually celebrates the Hispanic Festival in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to the Diocese of Parramattathis event brings together the Hispanic community around cultural activities.

Latin America

Devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe is also deeply rooted in Latin America. In Argentina, the Basilica Mayor of Our Lady of Luján, in Buenos Aires, houses an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in its central wing.

In Colombia, the Cerro de Guadalupe in Bogotá houses an impressive 15-meter-high statue of the Immaculate Conception, but also has a hermitage dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

In Ecuador, the Basilica of the National Vow, a place with a large influx of pilgrims, has hosted a replica of the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe since 2012. These sanctuaries are a reflection of how the message and devotion to the Virgin have reached different corners of Latin America, consolidating themselves as symbols of faith and hope for thousands of faithful.