Ryan Jackson

Mr. Campbell
15 December 2017
Religion II

Saint Juan Diego

Saint Juan Diego was born in 1474 in present day Cuautitlan, Mexico. When Juan Diego

was growing up, he had to live with his uncle due to the early death of his father. Growing up,

Juan Diego was always strong in his religion and was always recognized for his respect and

devotion to the Virgin Mary and his local Bishop, Juan de Zumarraga. One day when group of

Franciscan missionaries arrived in Mexico, Juan Diego and his wife soon converted to

Catholicism and were one of the first people to be baptized in their region. Juan and his wife

were extremely devoted to their religion and attended mass regularly and always followed the

laws and beliefs of the Catholic Church.

One day on December 9, 1531, Juan Diego was in a hurry to get to Mass on time to

celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. While he was rushing to Mass, he suddenly

came to a stop of a beautiful cite in front of him. Juan Diego experienced a shining woman that

was standing there with peace and introduced herself as the "ever-perfect holy Mary, who has the

honor to be the mother of the true God." Mary told Juan that she was the mother of all the people

in his land and that she was requesting a favor. Mary asked Juan Diego to go to the local bishop

and request to them that they build a church in her honor right where they were standing on

Tepeyac Hill. When Juan approached the bishop, he explained his encounter with the Virgin

Marry and told him about her request. After hearing the news, the bishop had many doubts and

asked for Juan to be excused so he could have some time to reflect on the news.

Later that day, Juan encountered Mary again and told her that the bishop refused to

believe his story. Juan tried to explain to Mary that he was of no importance and told her that he
was not the right person for the job, however, Mary assured him that he was the one she wanted.

The next day, Juan Diego retuned to the bishop and made his request for the second time.

However, this time when Juan told the bishop his request, the bishop asked him to bring him

proof that he saw the true Virgin Mary. When Juan returned to Mary, he explained to her that the

bishop asked for proof and all she replied was that she will supply for him the next day known as

December 11. However, Juan's plans did not work out as he planned. Juan soon noticed that his

uncle had become severely sick and he felt obligated to stay and take care of him. The next day,

Juan went out to look for a priest for his uncle, hoping that he would not encounter the Virgin

Mary in fear she will be upset with him for missing the special meeting that she would provide

proof with. However, he ended up finding her on his way to find a priest for his uncle. She asked

him what was wrong and why he was rushing. Juan explained everything to her and she

promised him that his uncle would be cured and then asked Juan to go to the top of the hill.

When Juan did as Mary asked, he saw a beautiful and stunning sight. Lying at his feet on top of

the hill was a bed of roses. This was a very miraculous sight at the time because it was the

middle of winter. The Virgin Mary then instructed him to collect a decent amount of them and

return to the bishop with them in his tilma. When Juan presented the bishop, not only did they

observe the beautiful roses, but the glorious image of the Virgin Mary. Soon after the miracle,

the bishop made sure a church would be built on the hill of Tepeyac in the Virgin Mary's honor.
Prayer:

Dear Saint Juan Diego, please protect and watch over me through each and every

day. Please watch over and protect all indigenous people because you are the patron saint

of them. Help us to see Mary our mother and do as she says just as you did. Show us to

be like you each and every day. Amen.

 Works Cited

Online, Catholic. “St. Juan Diego - Saints & Angels.” Catholic Online, Catholic Online,

www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=73.

Miller, OFM Fr. Don. “Saint Juan Diego.” Franciscan Media, 9 Dec. 2017,

www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-juan-diego/.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “St. Juan Diego.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia

Britannica, Inc., 15 Dec. 2017, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Juan-Diego.

“St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.” FaithND - Home,

faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=22971&cid=44392&ecid=44392&cri

d=0.