Why is Our Lady of Guadalupe So Important to Mexico? 

Mr. Dan, expect a lot of views on this video. Your human approach in your videos is unique. Your are not only showing the most holy of the Mexican people but are exciting and exposing our very souls. Con mucho respeto, buenos videos Señor Dan.

Im married for 5 years and not have child.. after a couple of months i came here and pray.. my wife was pregnant. Thanks GOd

Excellent, Dan. I don’t want to be negative, but so many gringo vloggers don’t make the effort to understand Mexican Catholicism and how it is part of popular culture. They prefer to focus on food, architecture, beaches, etc, which is fine, but you’ll never understand Mexican culture deeply until you delve into things like popular religion and music, for example. The Mexican songbook, for instance, is rich with meaning and part of the cultural vocabulary of the people. Two additional facts/points about Guadalupe - and you’re right about Guadalupe and Mexican identity, BTW. The two points: (1) Juan Diego was indigenous and the image of Guadalupe is of a mestiza with darker skin than most of the Spanish conquerors (part indigenous/part European), and this was an important part of the message of the apparition in 1531, which was at the height of colonization, a time of epidemic disease and loss of indigenous culture; and (2) the hill on which Guadalupe appeared had been the site of an Aztec shrine to the diety Tonantzín, who played a divine feminine role much as Guadalupe came to be for the new Mexican people (the new Mexican race, so to speak). So, you don’t have to be a religious scholar to appreciate that history. Thank you, Dan, for an excellent video!

I'm Catholic and when I studied abroad in Italy I traveled around Europe I went to many countries and saw a lot of churches Cathedrals basilicas which are some of the main attractions in Europe. One of the things that would get me excited the most was when I would see an altar dedicated to La Virgen de Guadalupe. Excited because I am a believer of her but even more because more importantly than anything else when I would see her I would think of Mexico my my home I would relate it to my country and it would make me feel a little less homesick

I’m Catholic, of Mexican heritage from the States, but currently living in Mexico and this video was awesome!! You did a great job telling the story and talking about it from an objective standpoint. Such great content!! And I definitely agree that Juan Diego being indigenous is very important, I’ve heard many times here when people speak about him that it was so special because that was like the Virgin Mary choosing the Mexican people as her own.

I am not religious either but when I was 15 years old. I went to see the virgin de Guadalupe, and it was such an amazing religious experience. I had never seen such devotion and belief so up close. You feel it once you take the first steps into this place. I am much older now and I can still feel that experience when I see her image. It’s a beautiful place and almost magical.

Thank you for calling her "Mother of God". Loved your from-the-heart perspective. Good job!

With this sort of video, local Mexicans will always know more than a foreigner like me. So I want to know from my Mexican viewers, is there anything important that I left out of this video? Have a great weekend everyone :)

My father always wanted a son as his first child. After having my older sister, he went to go see my Virgin Mary & then asked her and prayed for her to give him a boy and also promised her to take me over there one day. February 14 I was born and my father eventually fulfilled his promise by taking me to Mexico and seeing her.

Another important thing about Our Lady of Guadalupe is not only that Juan Diego was a Native Mexican, she appeared to him as a Native Mexican, and speaking his native language.

Just to correct you in one little thing, the flowers he found in that hill Rosas de Castilla, the priests weren’t surprised that they bloomed there in the cold weather they were surprised because Rosas de Castilla were only found in Spain at that time. So there was no way for those kind of flowers to grow there thus giving him that extra symbol of a miracle that he needed.

Our Mother. She is very important and special not just to Mexico and the indigenous people of Mexico, but she’s important and special to all indigenous people. Because she appeared to an indigenous man, and spoke to him in his native language. She saw him, and she told him that he was special and that she loved him. So as a Native American, to us, she not only told him, but she told all native people. She knew the struggle, the pain, sadness that we would go through, and still are going through. When she said “Am I not here, am I not your mother?” She told all native people that she is our mother. And that Jesus loves all people. She’s always there to point the way to The Lord, our Savior, her son. My most blessed, la Virgen de Guadalupe, pray for all my native people. Pray for all of Native children who were stolen from there families, pray for all of the Native women who have been killed or are missing. Pray for justice. Justice for our stolen women, justice for the children who were stolen and shipped to boarding schools. Where they were stripped of our beautiful culture, and Murdered by people who did these acts in the name of your son. Serve them justice for their acts, the blasphemy they committed by killing innocent children in the name of Jesus. I ask this in the Name of your son, Amen

It is a very beautiful and significant place, I have been to Mexico City 3 times but have never been there, next time I go to Mexico City I will definitely go there first. The Tepeyac is the second most visited place in all of Christendom (after the Vatican) and the most visited Marian shrine in the world. Thanks for sharing your experience, not many travel bloggers visit the Tepeyac ignoring that is one of the most important symbols of Mexican identity.

Dan, I am not a religious person but when I saw la virgen de Guadalupe in a church in Prague, believe me, it felt like home.

Adriana has one in our apartment in NYC :) Love the history here . I never actually visited this spot when I was in CDMX .

Viva nuestra Santa💐María de Guadalupe madre de nuestro Salvador JESUS🙏🏼❤️🕊

Bro you did a great job for a non expert. I know it well, but really enjoyed touring it with you. Thank you

I indeed appreciate the respect you show.

What a nice job, Dan! I'm a Spanish teacher in California and I plan to use your video this year to supplement my cultural talk about Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's an aspect of Mexican culture that language learners should know in order to understand the people.

Mexico is beautiful... VIVA 🇲🇽

It's all about faith, Dan; because it's a dificult item, thank you for treating this with the required seriousness. It's always interesting to see your point of view. Before we had a flag, a banner with an image of la Virgen de Guadalupe was used to join the mexican people by Miguel Hidalgo in the Cry of Dolores.

i was baptized in Lutheran Church ( i mean church leader by Marthin Luther ). But, sometimes i go to pray to Catholic Church, and i always okay with it.. ( 😬rather than not go to church for praying ) And i think , He always open to anyone who come to Him😊

Wow this was amazing ! Thank you for this !

Idk why I’m obsessed with CDMX , I plan to go back there, Love the Antropology Museum I can stay in there hours and hours 😃

There is an interesting fact about this cloak, some person tried to ruin it by dropping some chemical on it but obviously nothing happened, the image can't be erased. That stain on the top right corner on the cloak is the result of this incident.

We affectionately call Her 'La Morenita' and there are many people from the interior that make the yearly pilgrimage each July to see Her and give thanks not just to Her but to Her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ and each December 12th is her feast day, from what I've heard they have concheros(aztec dancing)honoring Her with dance, fireworks and probably lots of street vendors selling mementos and yummy street food. Another important note, if you go to the Basilica via the metro, don't get off at the 'Basilica stop', get off at the 'Villa stop', it will be more closer than the first stop.

A fantastic video and a pretty spot-on conclusion Dan. The Virgin came to Juan Diego with open arms, embracing him as one more of his beloved sons, dignifying him and uniting the country

Thanks for the blog. A few interesting things which viewers should know. 1 The Tilma on which the image is "on" normally lasts 10 years or so before decaying; not nearly 500 years (now 2020). 2. Juan Diego was addressed by the Virgin in his native language and as can be seen, she appeared as a pregnant, native woman. 3.The flowers which Juan picked were Castilian Roses, growing wild in the hills covered with native forest...when did the Spanish arrive? 4. The image is at human body temperature and has a heartbeat. 5. There were several million conversions to the Catholic faith within a year or so of this event; the founding of faith in Mexico...wouldn't you think that the drug cartels would know that hell really exists?. 6. The eyes of the image show the figures of those present when Juan dropped the roses in from of the Bishop. 7. The image is floating above the Tilma; now that is truly miraculous! 8. Our Lady of Guadalupe is also known as The Queen of the Americas.

It's true that it is part of Mexican culture, I'm not a Catholic but I do like the fact that you're teaching others a very important part of Mexico.

Great video, Dan! My mother and father got married at the Old Basílica, before the new one was built.

I’m Mexican and La Virgen de Guadalupe is a very very strong symbol to me. I’m not even a religious person, (Culturally Catholic but actually an atheist) I don’t even believe in the story, but to me that symbol still carries HUGE weight to it. Of course for my fellow Mexicans who ARE religious see its religious aspect but even more than that, that image represents Mexico in one picture. The indigenous presence of Mexico, the correlation to Tonantzin, the mestizo presence of two cultures becoming one (Native and European), this image is EVERYWHERE in Mexico. EVERYONE thinks of somebody when you see it. (For me, i think of my grandparents.) It’s been used by conservative movements, by liberal movements. It connects mexicans in the motherland and mexicans abroad. Even Chicanos who’ve been in the US for generations. Mexicans of every class, skin color, and background have seen this image. It’s something that’s so engrained into our culture and has countless interpretations that it truly unites the entire Diaspora. It’s something that keeps us together and gives us an identity, it gives us culture, it’s our history our heritage and our pride.

I am without words. There are only tears. I asked for a sign over a particular matter, and this popped up. Signs come in a million ways. I grew up with Madre de la Rosas, Senora Guadalupe Tonantzin, but in a very unique way, I'm being lead to further believe and accept things. Thank you for sharing this. 🙏

Thanks for another super interesting video! I always feel like I walk away from your videos with something to think about.

very nice video Dan something that you missed is that in December 12th is the birthday of Guadalupe and there's a huge party to celebrate... she recieves mariachis with las mañanitas every year at 12:00am

Thank you for your sweet openness! I want to go there more than anywhere! And your last thoughts were right on the ball!!

Dan this is definitely some of your best work. Very informative. I seriously wished this video was an hour long. Bravo Amigo! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I'm from Korea and I really love mexican culture. The story of lady of guadalupe and view of CDMX is very interesting to me. but I'm not christian. In my country we learn that lady of Guadalupe things were Spain's intention to propogate catholic to native mexicans. So they made proper story to attract native people and combined it with catholic things. That is what I learned since most of my country's people don't have religion and never believed things like miracle or myth. And what it's meaningful is the story itself, whether that is really happened or not. It symbolize perfectly about mexican identity. A catholic miracle shown in aztecan mythical place to native guy. A beautiful combination of two worlds. When I lived shortly in Guadalajara, Jalisco, I actually expected something like spain or europe. Y'know like the states. But what I learned and saw was totally different culture. It has spanish culture in some part, but lots of things were descended from native nahuan culture. It's an amazing country except for the politics and social problems.

Thank YOU!! What a treat!!

As always Dan, this is such a great video, thank you so much for making it. I would like to tell you that I have been there many, many times in my life, basically, since I was a kid. As I catholic I tend to make a promise to be there at least once a year, to be with the mother of God. I am not a historian or anything like that, but I am going to tell you something that maybe you experienced when you were there, and this is something that happens to me when I go to this beautiful place, “the most relevant church in Latin America”, there is always something special in the atmosphere, it feels like -time stands still-. This is by far the most visited place for Mexicans, at least in December, of course every December 12th there is a huge celebration in the church. I hope you can be there, in that celebration it´s just amazing. The power of faith! Again, thank you so much for showing how beautiful our country is. Have a great weekend!

Informative and clear, good content!

Wow! Thank you!!! No dejas de sorprenderme. Se nota el esfuerzo y trabajo que le pones a cada uno de tus vídeos. Me encanta. Increíbles tomas y capturas en cada vídeo. I enjoy watching your channel so much. 🙌🏼

Dan, once again what a great job!! Thank you very much for this video.

They say the Basilica of Guadalupe gets over 20 Million visitors a year... have you been?

I was wondering who Juan Diego was and then I stubbled upon this video. So thankful and blessed✝️❤️❤️❤️

Thank you brother. God bless you always! Simple but deeper way of approaching

Good video. Keep them coming. Love Mexico.

Very touching watching your video of Our Lady of Guadalupe… God Bless you on your Travels…

Dan, eres único. Felicidades.

Hi, Dan! There’s a museum called “Museo de Memoria y Tolerancia” in downtown Mexico. It has nothing to do with mexican history, but I think you will be blown away with the message it leaves in the people who visit the museum. It’s quite unique. Love your videos!

Thank you great documentary. Keep going !!🙏🏽💜🙏🏽 .

Dan, bravo! You were excellent!

Thanks for the video

It is hard for me to remember another sign that means so much for a country, like Guadalupe's image does. This goes beyond religion. When you see a Virgen de Guadalupe somewhere else out of Mexico, you immediately relate it to our country. Great video, Dan.

VERY NICE VIDEO DAN, I LIKE IT, I HOPE GOING ON SHOWING MORE ASPECTS OF OUR MEXICAN CULTURE WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE MEXICANS OF OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS AND OUR PEOPLE. GOD BLESSED YOU.

Super explained.... Good job 🤩🤩

God Bless you for making this video Dan

This was a great video. I live in Las Vegas and have visited here. It took me back

Excellent video, you did your homework and delivered everything in this deep, beautiful video, which I totally agree. Thank you Dan for being they way you are!

I was just there not even a month ago! I loved it so much!!!!

Yees we love OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE ❤❤

Dan muy buen video, gracias por enseñar la cultura de mexico and your spanish va mejorando

I pray I see this in person someday. Simply hearing the story just brings me to tears and gives me goosebumps. God is good.

Que bella video. Gracias de todo corazón. Keep on going..your work is humane and lovely..

Wonderful video and wonderful analysis. Thank tou a lot.

Thank you for this video, I had no idea that it was there 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Great job Dan👍

That’s such a beautiful story, the buildings and everything is so beautiful, I love how our lady de Guadalupe basically represents Mexico it’s so beautiful!

Muy bonito video de todo corazón gracias 😊

This my favorite video of yours yet.

Best videos. Thank you Dan.

Great Video thanks 🙏🏽

Hey Dan, great video! The quality and style are really excellent. The basilica is also much more, coming from a religion studies background, whether one is a believer or not. If you’re interested in finding the reason behind a religious building’s construction as meant by the people of its time, then the basilica de Guadalupe is really something. In this case, the main basilica is built as a temple with the proportions and measurements of the biblical Solomon’s temple, and is thus the literal rebuilding of the temple of Solomon (obviously in a style fitting the baroque of the times). Its seven front doors are an allusion to the seven gates of Celestial Jerusalem referred to by Christ. This is why the temple also has an unusual square footprint, and four towers instead of the two most common in churches in Mexico. The inner temple is also has the elements as described in the Bible, such as wood from Lebanon etc. The whole temple ground, resembling the Temple Mount are a political statement that asserts Mexico City as the future New Jerusalem known after the apocalypse. Thus symbology is used throughout, including the huge white marble statues of archangel Michael defeating the dragon/devil as well as Raphael, located on the two sides of the staircase at the landing of the basilica hill, that look out towards the city. There is also a covenant room inside the basilica where only priests of Guadalupe can enter in order to perform the rituals of the ancient temple of Solomon, in this case essentially as symbolic assertions of the belief in the building’s intention (resembling the priest-class that where only allowed to enter the ancient temple). The building, and Mary’s apparition in the early 1500s are thus considered an omen/promise that the resurrection of Christ would be in Mexico. This is why, the evolution of its symbology (namely Juan Diego’s mantle) is central to prayer and cultural identity. Now, most people in Mexico consider the ‘legend’ of the roses and the apparition in the mantle as the folklore of the basilica, which have great similarity to the culture of apparitions from Europe. The roses where in fact introduced by the Spanish, the mantle has been studied and the materials used to make the pigment coincide with material used to create pigments of the time as well as unusual ingredients not commonly used to create pigments. It is unknown how the pigments have not faded, although my unproven belief is that it is because the old basilica is actually quite dark. This is also not the only building that has made the same claim with the reconstruction of Solomon’s temple, or even the same religion since the Kaaba of Islam in Mecca and Medina have a similar intention, as well as other temples like the Baha’i faith temple in Haifa, as well as others. As well as the buildings like the Escorial in Madrid, built using the same proportions. Keep up the great work!

Great video. I was there 7 yrs ago. Nice to see it again.

Great job!!

what a nice video Dan I loved it!

Dan, pretty sure your assessment is correct and spot on, thanks for the video.

Very well explained,awesome!!

I'm Filipino and its my dream to visit this place and pray before the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

I had the blessed opportunity to visit the place.

Nice video. You gave a great explanation 👍🏻

✨✨thank you for sharing

Thank you Dan. Your demonstration of reverence and respect for our lady and for Mexico was truly heartfelt. The miraculous events and history surrounding the tilma, is worth further study for everyone. I was blessed to receive a certified reproduction of an image that was scanned directly off the tilma itself. My print is certified by Cardinal Noberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico as being an authentic reproduction of the scanned image. The image was blessed by St. John Paul I I on January 25, 1999. This certified print was retrieved from the Basilica archives. Many prints were donated to the Knights of Columbus, here in America, of which, I am one. This print was in response to my efforts in raising funds for one our charitable partners, the World Wheelchair Mission. This gift caught me completely by surprise. Having received this blessing strengthens my resolve to continue to perform apostolic actions and good deeds in the name of the Catholic Church and our LORD, Jesus Christ.

Absolutely beautiful. Would love to visit someday.

Congrats, your vídeos are excelent !! Very interesting the way you explain everything. !!People like you are always welcome !!!

Thank you so much for this! What a nice surprise for me, with tomorrow being the Solemnity of the Assumption. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Also, there’s a pueblo mágico near mexico city called “Malinalco”. There’s a market every weekend where you can try the most delicious street food ever.

A beautiful story 🌹🌹🌹 My ever favorite apparition story of our Holy Mother. I love her so❤️

Thank you for this video to spread knowledge of history to the present day.

yaasss keepp traveling in mexico!

Awesome, Nice video!! I’m a Catholic..I have a statue of Mama De Guadalupe, I bought 1984 in SJ, Ca in Flea Market,we moved-in to our new house,until now It’s been 39yrs. with us moved to LV. Hoping and praying to visit her in Mexico, I’m humbly pray. Love you Mama Guadalupe!!❤️🙏😍

Great Video! I am A natural born Mexican who immigrated to the US at a young age and recently visited the Basilica. I found your video to be of quality and your last statement resonates! I am not religious but found my visit to the Basilica and other points of interest in Mexico to be important and make up who I am. I’ve never been prouder to be Mexican!

Thanks sir very much video

Thanks for sharing!

Love the video! Wish to be there with my family soon. Our Lady of Guadalupe, please intercede for us.

Thank you much

Again a premium quality video! Congratulations.

Thank you brother to show this to the world 🌎 I give you 1000 points on this video 🙏

Muchas Gracias

Thank you for respecting and appreciating our culture, you are awesome, I hope to meet you one day, I live in California but my soul and spirit is still in my beautiful city, uruapan Michoacán. Gracias carnal, eres lo máximo, tienes mas respeto por mi cultura que muchos de los míos.

This is the second year that I'm showing your video to my elementary Spanish students. Thank you for covering this so very important cultural topic so well!