Celebrating St. Juan Diego: The Man Chosen by Our Lady of Guadalupe

Each year on December 9th, Catholics around the world celebrate the feast of St. Juan Diego, a humble indigenous man whose faith and obedience left a legacy that changed the Americas forever. While his story is widely told in connection to Our Lady of Guadalupe, his life offers inspiring lessons on humility, perseverance, and the power of God's call, even to those who may feel unworthy.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Highlights

By Abigail James
12/9/2024 (2 weeks ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: St. Juan Diego, Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Born in 1474 near present-day Mexico City, Cuauhtlatoatzin (his given name) was a Chichimec peasant who converted to Christianity in 1524. After his baptism, he became known as Juan Diego and led a quiet, devout life. It was during one of his routine walks to attend Mass that his life took an extraordinary turn.

On December 9, 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill. Speaking in his native language, Nahuatl, she introduced herself as the Mother of God and asked that a church be built on that very site. Initially dismissed by the local bishop, Juan Diego returned to the hill where Mary assured him of her support.

In their final encounter on December 12, she instructed him to gather roses--miraculously blooming despite the winter frost--and deliver them to the bishop as proof of her apparition. When Juan Diego opened his tilma (cloak) to reveal the roses, the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was imprinted upon it, a sight that convinced the bishop and led to the construction of her shrine.

St. Juan Diego's feast day offers unique opportunities for Catholics to reflect on his life and emulate his virtues. Here are a few ways to honor him:

Join your local parish in celebrating his feast day and pray for his intercession, especially for humility and trust in God's plan.

Take time to study the rich heritage of indigenous peoples in the Americas. Understanding their traditions and struggles deepens appreciation for how Our Lady of Guadalupe brought faith and hope to their communities.

Create a simple replica of Juan Diego's tilma with paper or fabric, featuring the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is a fun and meaningful activity to teach kids about his story.

Pray the Rosary or meditate on Mary's role in your own faith journey, inspired by Juan Diego's simple yet steadfast trust in her.

Juan Diego's unwavering faith reminds us that God often chooses the least likely individuals to fulfill extraordinary missions. His story speaks to the heart of the Catholic faith: that no matter our background, God calls us to be instruments of His love and grace.

This feast day is more than a remembrance of a historical figure; it's a celebration of faith's transformative power and a reminder that miracles happen when we say "yes" to God's call--just as Juan Diego did.