Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, the first indigenous saint of Mexico and the Americas
Dear brothers and sisters, on December 9th, we celebrate the feast of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, a poor Indian convert who, on December 9, 1531, was passing by the foot of Mount Tepeyac on his way to Mass.
Suddenly, he heard a sweet song, like a flock of birds. Looking up, he saw a bright white cloud amidst a rainbow. An inexplicable joy gave wings to his feet, and he felt called to the mountaintop. He climbed and saw a beautiful Lady whose presence illuminated the plants, thorns, and stones. And she spoke to him in her Nahuatl language:
"My son, Juan Diego, whom I love tenderly like a little child, where are you going?"
"To Mass, Lady," Juan Diego replied.
The beautiful Lady revealed Her identity: My dear son. I am Mary Ever Virgin, Mother of the True God, and it is my desire that a temple be built for me in this place, where, as a mother to you and your neighbors, I will show my loving kindness and compassion for the indigenous peoples, for those who love and seek me, and for all who seek my protection and invoke me in their hardships and sufferings, and where I will listen to their tears and supplications, to give them comfort and hope. Tell the Bishop that I am sending you because I want him to build me a temple.
Dear brothers and sisters, the Temple will be built, and for over 500 years, Guadalupe has not only been a shrine visited by almost 30 million people annually: it is the faith of an entire nation united around the Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and the Philippines.