Flora Cantábrica

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“One Saturday in 1531, a few days into the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego went very early in the morning from the town where he lived to Tlatelolco, to take part in the divine cult. When he arrived next to the hill called Tepeyac, it was dawn and he heard someone calling him from above the hill: Juanito, Juan Dieguito. He climbed to the top and saw a Lady of superhuman greatness, whose dress was radiant like the sun, who with a very courteous word told him: Juanito, the smallest of my children, know and understand that I am the FOREVER VIRGIN. MARY, MOTHER OF THE TRUE GOD FOR WHOM ONE LIVES. I strongly desire that a temple be erected here for me, to show and lavish all my love, compassion, help and defense to all the inhabitants of this land and to my other lovers who invoke me and trust me. Go to the bishop of Mexico to tell him what I really want. Go and put all your effort into it.

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When Juan Diego arrived in the presence of Bishop Don Fray Juan de Zumárraga, a religious from San Francisco, he seemed not to believe him and replied: You will come again and I will listen to you more slowly. Juan Diego returned to the top of the hill, where the Lady of Heaven was waiting for him and said to her: Lady, I explained your message to the bishop, but it seemed that he did not take it as true. Therefore, I beg you to commission one of the principals to carry your message so that they may believe him, because I am a little man. She replied: I beg you very much, my son, to go again tomorrow to see the bishop and tell him that I in person, the FOREVER VIRGIN HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, am the one who sent you. But the next day, Sunday, the bishop did not believe him either.

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On Monday Juan Diego did not return. His uncle, Juan Bernardino, became very serious and begged him to go to Tlatelolco and call a priest to confess to her. Juan Diego left on Tuesday, but he turned around the hill to arrive in Mexico soon and not be stopped by the Lady from heaven. But She went out to meet him and said to him: My least son, do not let your heart be troubled nor let anything trouble you. Am i not here, me that I’m your mother? Are you not under my shadow? Am I not your health? Aren’t you in my lap? What else do you need? Do not be distressed by your uncle’s illness, be sure that he has already healed. Go up now, my son, to the top of the hill, where you will find different flowers, cut them and bring them to my presence. When she had done so, he said to her: My son, this is the proof and sign that you will take to the bishop. You are my ambassador, very trustworthy. Juan Diego set off, already happy and sure of going well.

Upon arriving in the presence of the bishop, he said to him: Lord, I did what you ordered me. The Lady of heaven condescended to your message and fulfilled it. He then unwrapped his white blanket and as soon as the different roses of Castile were scattered on the floor, he drew on it and suddenly the beautiful image of the ALWAYS VIRGIN HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, appeared in the way it is and is kept today in his temple of Tepeyac. The entire city was moved and came to see and admire her devout image and to pray to her and she was named as she should be named: the ALWAYS VIRGIN HOLY MARY OF GUADALUPE.