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A Documentary Lecture on Our Lady of Tepeyac (Virgin Mary in Mexico)- Syncretic

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A Documentary Lecture on Our Lady of Tepeyac (Virgin Mary in Mexico)- Syncretic

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In this Padlet, I will discuss La Virgen de Guadalupe, also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is celebrated annually in Mexico and the United States on December 12th. La Virgen de Guadalupe is the most recognized religious and cultural symbol of Mexico, representing both Indigenous origins and Mexican identity. Her image embodies themes of motherhood, feminism, and social justice. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located in the heart of Mexico City, is a significant destination that attracts millions of visitors each year. This enduring popularity underscores La Virgen de Guadalupe's status as one of the most beloved shrines in the world.

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Professor Estrada, History of the Americas

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Virgen de Guadalupe: A Documentary Lecture on Our Lady of Tepeyac (Virgin Mary in Mexico)- Syncretic

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The story is set during the Spanish colonization of Mexico in the 16th century and follows Juan Diego, an Aztec man who converted to Christianity. The Virgin Mary appeared to him multiple times, speaking in his native Nahuatl, and requested a shrine at their meeting place.

When Juan Diego reported this to the skeptical bishop, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, he was asked for proof. After several attempts, Juan Diego revealed his cloak, and when he opened it, Castilian roses fell out, revealing the image of the Virgin on the fabric.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe helps fuel the spirit of Mexican-Americans and other Latinos.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe helps fuel the spirit of Mexican-Americans and other Latinos.

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This article explores the experiences of Mexican American families who work to preserve their cultural heritage while living in the United States. It highlights their challenges in finding a sense of community and identity, often making it difficult to feel at home.

The symbol of Our Lady of Guadalupe connects family, politics, and religion, bridging Mexico's colonial past with its present and Indigenous and Mexican identities. It represents essential social relationships and emotions within Mexican life, serving as a cultural expression of collective identity. (Reyes, 2016, NBC News)

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Elena Rubio, a teacher in Brooklyn, New York, was five years old when she first heard the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"It was on a family trip to Mexico," she recalled. "Back then, I couldn't figure out whether the Virgin Mary and this lady were the same person. Then my mom told me that Our Lady of Guadalupe had appeared in Mexico, and I was totally intrigued. I was fascinated, because it seemed to be a real thing, something with proof left behind."

For Rubio and millions of other Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, December 12th holds special significance. It marks the date in 1531 when the Virgin Mary purportedly appeared to an indigenous Mexican, in the last of several apparitions.

To the present day, Our Lady of Guadalupe remains a powerful symbol of Mexican identity and faith, and her image is associated with everything from motherhood to feminism to social justice.

Across the U.S., many of the faithful will be attending mass; in some communities like Des Plaines, Illlinois the mass is preceded by a pilgrimage to a venerated shrine for the beloved virgin.
RELATED: Voices: Growing Up with Our Lady of Guadalupe
Rubio is continuing the religious tradition, telling her own young children about Our Lady of Guadalupe. "It's interesting how, in our culture, she is still so prevalent and recognizable. She is still revered, like the ultimate symbol of goodness." Rubio revealed to NBC News that in her home, she has Our Lady of Guadalupe artwork, icons, and even a small nightlight bearing her image. "I guess she's watching over us," Rubio laughed.

According to lore, it was a winter's day in 1531 when the Virgin Mary first appeared to Juan Diego, a peasant, as he was crossing a hillside near present-day Mexico City. She appeared as a dark-skinned woman who spoke Nahuatl, Juan Diego's native language. This woman asked Juan Diego to build her a little house, a casita, on the hill. Twice Juan Diego reported this to his local bishop, who didn't believe him. The second time, the bishop asked for proof of the apparitions.

Early on the morning of December 12th, the lady appeared again to Juan Diego and told him to gather some flowers at the top of the hill - a strange request because flowers were not in season in December. Juan Diego did as he was instructed, and found an array of Castilian roses. The lady helped him arrange them in his tilma (cloak), and he returned to the bishop with them as evidence. As Juan Diego presented the tilma to the bishop, the flowers tumbled out and the two men discovered a life-size image of the Virgin Mary on the inside of the cloak. This image is known as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

To Jeanette Rodriguez, author of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Faith and Empowerment Among Mexican-American Women, there are aspects of this story that make it unique. She finds it significant that the apparition chose to appear to a peasant.

"That makes sense, because God always chooses the people the world rejects," she said. "The Lady of Guadalupe also offered a different brand of faith. She didn't say, go to church or say the rosary. She said 'If you love me, trust me and believe in me, I will respond.'"

The historical context of this story is important, according to Rodriguez, a professor at Seattle University. The apparitions were seen only ten years after the conquest of central Mexico by the Spanish, at a time when the indigenous people of the Americas were devastated.

The notion of a brown-skinned Mary figure was critical to the eventual conversion of millions of indigenous people to Roman Catholicism.

"When indigenous people saw Guadalupe's image on the cloak, they could recognize the symbols surrounding her; the sun, the stars, the southern cross, and the placement of her hands indicating a gesture of offering," Rodriguez said.

The sash around Our Lady of Guadalupe's waist, Rodriguez explained, indicates that she is with child - one of the rare depictions of the mother of God as pregnant.

Today the Basilica of Guadalupe stands on the site where Our Lady of Guadalupe is said to have appeared to Juan Diego. It is one of the top attractions in Mexico, drawing millions of tourists and pilgrims every year. The cloak bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on display, its colors seemingly not faded after hundreds of years.

December 12th became a national holiday in Mexico in 1859. Pope Pious XXII crowned Our Lady of Guadalupe "Empress of the Americas" in 1945, and she has long been recognized as the patron saint of Mexico.

In some ways, Our Lady of Guadalupe has become less of a religious symbol and more of a general cultural symbol, says John Moran Gonzalez, director of the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. "The idea of the Virgin can retain her appeal without specifically being anchored in religious tradition."

"Our Lady is seen as the champion of the underdog, of the Indian, of all those who lack power in society," Gonzalez said. "In that sense she continues to be relevant as long as disparities in economic and political power exist. "

"You have to remember that she is the ultimate Mexican mother," Gonzalez added. "She is all about motherhood. And who doesn't love their mother?"

Our Lady of Guadalupe has particular resonance for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. "We grew up with her, we are used to seeing her," said Pat Mora, author of the children's book, The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe. "And as the Mexican-American population grows, the power of her image grows with it."

"The sense of her as a maternal force is relevant to all kinds of people," Mora noted. "There is almost a philosophical, contemplative quality to her. Though we may see her as silent, I see her as a figure that knows the power of quiet."

As a writer, Mora finds the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe fascinating. "It incorporates all of the senses; the beauty of her garment, the scent of the roses, the sound of her singing. These are interesting elements for an artist to play off of."

Several of Mora's books have featured Our Lady of Guadalupe as a character; in one, she appeared as a guest on a talk show.

Our Lady of Guadalupe has also figured into real-life historical events. Father Miguel Hidalgo launched Mexico's war for independence from Spain in 1810 by declaring, "Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!" During the Mexican Revolution, Emiliano Zapata and other fighters carried her image into battle.

As recently as 1994, the Huffington Post reports, some Zapatista guerrillas continued this tradition during their uprising in the southern state of Chiapas. In such ways, Our Lady of Guadalupe has become a potent symbol of Mexican patriotism.

In the U.S., Our Lady of Guadalupe has at times been utilized as a social justice icon, her image evoked by everyone from Cesar Chavez in the 1970s to immigration reform activists in the 2000s.

"She is used as a symbol of justice," Mora said, "because she holds an appeal to the poor, to marginalized people. In the modern day, we can see her as representing people standing against oppression, declaring their independence."

In Mexican-American communities, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a common sight. Aside from churches, she is seen on murals and calendars, in museums and on cholo (gang member) tattoos.

There are, however, apparently limits to the types of appropriation of Our Lady of Guadalupe's image that the general public will tolerate.

In 2001, visual artist Alma Lopez generated controversy with her rendering of Our Lady of Guadalupe in her familiar pose, wearing a bikini made of roses. Angry crowds protested museums and universities where the digital artwork was exhibited, claiming it disrespected Catholics and a sacred image. Lopez was threatened, and called a "pervert" and a "witch."

Lopez still receives emails from people upset about her work, entitled Our Lady. "But I am a feminist, and I would never create an image of a woman without respect," Lopez said. "It was never my intent to do work for controversy, or just for work's sake. I have actually thought a great deal about the Virgin of Guadalupe."

Lopez believes that the image stirs such passion in people because it taps into deep connections between memory, home and family. "In fact, the more I research the story - and its true origins - the more I believe in the power of the image."

Lopez sees the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a testament to the resilience of indigenous people; a strength that she believes is embodied in modern-day immigrants who survive despite racism and stereotypes.

For Cristofer Pereyra, director of the Hispanic Missions Office at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, December 12th marks a feast day that his community enthusiastically celebrates.

"We have so many events that we have had to combine them. They go on for the week before the actual date," he said. "We have processions with mass, and thousands of people come."

"I know that people still pass the story down," Pereyra said. "Some of them may no longer be practicing the faith anymore, sadly. But they have the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe at home. The devotion is real. They believe."

Author Jeanette Rodriguez maintains that Our Lady of Guadalupe helps fuel the spirit of Mexican-Americans and other Latinos. "No matter how people try to knock us down, we never hit the floor. We have our Virgin of Guadalupe," she said. "We have our family, our culture, and our Virgin."
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Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of Mexican identity

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For millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, December 12th holds special significance.

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Why one version of the Virgin Mary has become a symbol of protection for millions

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Why one version of the Virgin Mary has become a symbol of protection for millions

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Rodriguez Zapata, a photographer from Los Angeles, is capturing images of Our Lady of Guadalupe on murals adorning the sides of businesses throughout the Los Angeles area. These images serve as a reminder of the community's culture and the love they hold for their mother figure, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Why one version of Virgin Mary has become a symbol of protection for millions

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I would like to share another article regarding Rodriguez Napata and his captivating photographs of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For those interested, you can find Rodriguez's Instagram at @_LaVirgencita.

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F rom Mexico to Los Angeles, La Virgen de Guadalupe has no borders. Her image can be found anywhere from corner markets to food trucks is a constant reminder that Latinos are (here).

As her origin story is traditionally told year after year, La Guadalupana's story began on top of a hill in Tepeyac México. On December 9, 1531, she appeared to an indigenous man named Juan Diego. Speaking to him in Nahuátl, she instructed that a church should be built on top of the hill in her honor. A rumored mountain to have previously been home to a temple dedicated to the goddess Tonantzin means "our sacred mother."

W hen Juan Diego went to what is now Mexico City to deliver her message to archbishop Juan de Zumárraga, he was asked for a miracle from La Virgen to prove it. So after visiting her one more time, he made his way back to the city, and on December 12th, he presented roses to the archbishop. And as it is famously known after laying down the roses, an imprint of La Virgen de Guadalupe appeared on his tilmátli (cloak).

Since then, her story and image continue to be told and celebrated every December by thousands, both in Mexico and the United States. And because La Guadalupana's image is so iconic in Mexican households, it's hard for most people to pinpoint the first time they came across her image.

" Every time I get to see her, it makes my heart smile, and I know other people feel the same way..."

For 33-year-old photographer Oscar Rodriguez from Lynwood, the earliest memory he has is an old VHS tape that he watched every year with his family. "I can't really remember the name, but there was this movie that my mom would play for us, and it was about Juan Diego when he stumbles upon La Virgencita," he said.

L.A. natives like Rodriguez celebrate and honor La Guadalupana year-round.

Through his Instagram page @_LaVirgencita, he immortalizes her image through his photography, which documents her murals and shrines throughout Los Angeles. And although he doesn't consider himself a religious man, to him, La Virgencita is a reminder of home, Latinidad, and love.

"She reminds people of home..."

" Every time I get to see her, it makes my heart smile, and I know other people feel the same way," he said. "I think for L.A. County or really any Latinx community, her image has become a symbol of representation that screams, 'Hey, aquí estamos' (we are here)."

The freelance photographer said that he never feels out of place whenever he goes out to look for murals in new neighborhoods. The moment he comes across her image, he feels safe and a sense of belonging. A feeling that immigrant communities in Los Angeles can relate to, according to him.

This is why her murals' documentation is so vital to Angelenos because it is also a way of preserving their culture.

"She reminds people of home, reminds them of the country they left for a better future for them and their children. And I think it's something we can all connect with, no matter what country of the Americas you are from, we all somehow connect through La Virgencita," said Rodriguez.

Isis Alcaraz, an employee at La California Tortilleria in Glassell Park, agrees with Rodriguez, her early memories of La Virgen trace back to her homeland of Colima, Mexico. From a young age, she recalls her parents being adamant about them visiting "La Lupita." To her being able to see La Guadalupana every day before she walks into work gives her a nostalgic feeling and reminds her of her upbringing in Colima.

...he quickly realized that he wasn't just documenting La Virgen, but also how specific neighborhoods in L.A. were drastically changing.

"She represents our culture and reminds us of where we came from. We feel a sense of pride being in her presence es muy bonito (it's really nice)," Alcaraz expressed over the phone. "She goes beyond the border of Mexico. That's why they call her the Mother of the Americas. We all have a piece of home here because of her."

This is why her murals' documentation is so vital to Angelenos because it is also a way of preserving their culture. Especially when worry has grown over the years due to the rapid growth of gentrification in L.A.'s barrios, an issue that Rodriguez noticed a few years into his project, he quickly realized that he wasn't just documenting La Virgen, but also how specific neighborhoods in L.A. were drastically changing.

" Gentrification itself is already erasing our presence and our history. These new owners come in and seem to not care about the history or the community," he said. "I have witnessed it myself whenever I revisit an area and see a mural being painted over with something else that has nothing to do with La Virgencita or the neighborhood's culture."

Like Rodriguez, Paramount photographer Nydya Mora also started her journey of documenting La Guadalupana in 2012. And what initially started as a small gesture for her mother turned into a full-on project.

" As a token of appreciation for my mother, I just started taking these photos and wanted to make like a small table book for her, but it ended up not going anywhere because I ended up losing all my photos," said Mora.

After losing her photos, Mora decided to retrace her steps and went back to document the murals and shrines she had once photographed. But when she went back, some of the murals were already gone. She said that through her documentation on her Instagram @Virgensdela, she has also seen the damaging effects that gentrification can have on her communities.

"After seeing that, I did feel like a sense of urgency to document the ones that are still here and to document the culture that is under threat of being erased," said Mora.

A culture that she grew up with, although Mora also doesn't consider herself a very religious person, she respects and appreciates the hope that La Virgen inspires in people. As a kid, she remembers going with her family to their local church and waiting in line to leave roses in front of La Virgen. She said, "by the end, she would be drowning in roses."

This year due to the pandemic and current stay-at-home orders, the public won't be able to celebrate La Guadalupana the way they usually do with big parades, music, food, and large crowds. Instead, some will celebrate her from the comfort of their homes to avoid exposing themselves or their family to COVID-19. A virus that has significantly impacted the Latino community. According to the California Health Department, over 600,000 cases have been reported among Latinos.

"She also represents endurance, like times are hard, but we will get through this."

" I think La Virgen does represent hope in these desperate times, more so now that we're experiencing this second wave which seems to be worse than the first one," said Mora. "She also represents endurance, like times are hard, but we will get through this."

The owner of Nena's Flowers in Boyle Heights, Alma Rodriguez, can relate to people seeking La Virgencita for some type of comfort or sign that everything will be ok. She has been in business for two years now and said she has never experienced anything like this pandemic.

When she first opened her business, she said having La Virgen de Guadalupe painted outside her shop was a must. To her, the image is a way of blessing and protecting her business, and like many, it's also a reminder of her roots.

"I'm from Puebla, Mexico, so when I see her image, it allows me to never forget where I'm from..."

"I'm from Puebla, Mexico, so when I see her image, it allows me to never forget where I'm from," she said. "What I love about her is her story and the miracles she's known for; I am grateful for miracles she's blessed me with."

She credits La Virgencita for her business opening, which she said almost didn't happen because someone had outbid her for the building she's currently in. But not long after she said she received a call asking her if she was still interested in the building, sure enough, the previous person had backed out, and she eagerly said yes.

It's because of people like Alma and Alcaraz that Rodriguez and Mora dedicate their time to documenting La Virgencita. Because every business, neighborhood, or house where she is found has a deeper story behind it.

" I love everything about our Latinx community, so it makes me feel happy whenever I share a photo and see the response from followers," said Rodriguez. "It's also something that we can keep forever, no matter what changes around us."

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La Virgen de Guadalupe's Image Has No Borders, a Reminder of L.A.'s Latinidad ~ L.A. TACO

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From Mexico to Los Angeles, La Virgen de Guadalupe has no borders. Her image can be found anywhere from corner markets to food trucks is a constant reminder that Latinos are presente (here).

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The Virgen de Guadalupe is an important symbol for the Chicano movements, representing revolution and ethnic unity against oppression. Her image often appears in art related to crossing the border, symbolizing safe passage for loved ones entering the U.S. She embodies devotion to the church, the Mexican Revolution, and the Chicano identity while also reflecting the effects of colonization on Indigenous peoples. Linked to the goddess Tonantzin, she encapsulates the pride, guilt, and complexity of the Mexican experience. (Brammer, 2023, latimes.)

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The Virgen de Guadalupe is an important symbol for the Chicano movement

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The Virgen de Guadalupe is an important symbol for the Chicano movement

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https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-08-31/la-virgen-de-guadalupe-chicano-identity

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The representations of La Virgen de Guadalupe show her power over identity

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The Virgen de Guadalupe is a symbol of Mexican resistance but also one of colonization and the Catholic Church.

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Here is another photographer inspired to capture images of Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout the Southwestern states, highlighting the importance and cultural significance that Our Lady of Guadalupe represents.

https://www.bobeckertphotography.com/lady-of-guadalupe.html

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Photos by photojournalist Bob Eckert illustrating the popularity of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Chicana feminists offer a reinterpretation of the Virgin Mary through their artistic expressions, often portraying La Virgen de Guadalupe in ways that reflect the experiences and values of contemporary women. This approach nurtures a meaningful connection to their Catholic faith while also engaging with and questioning traditional patriarchal norms.

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La Virgen de Guadalupe: New Feminist Portrayals by Jose Duran

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She appeared on a hill on December 9, 1531. She spoke to Juan Diego in his native tongue of Nahuatl; the language of the Aztecas. She asked for a church to be built at that very site in honor of he…

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I appreciate this meme for its creative depiction of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Juan Diego's cloak. It serves as a reminder of an important cultural and spiritual image that continues to be celebrated and honored by many.

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December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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I appreciate this post because it highlights how the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been manipulated, with her image being controlled by the Catholic Church. It also addresses the confusion surrounding her representation, as she symbolizes a period of colonization and the conversion of indigenous practices into the religious traditions introduced by the Spaniards starting in the 15th century.

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#stitch with @Bossii Masu Nagaruk  Hope this clears things up from a historical context. I went rambling for a bit. The Creoles established an identity for themselves as the true chosen people of the New World and pointed to the “miraculous” appearance of La Virgen de Guadalupe as described in Father Miguel Sanchez’s book as evidence of their preferred status. The Creoles referred to La Virgen as “La Criolla” and saw her alleged appearance in Mexico as proof that they were the chosen people of the New Jerusalem. #virginmary #guadalupe #virgindegualupe #mythsdebunked #colonization #colonialism #azteca #nahuatlahtolli #tonantzincoatlicue 

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@senyaotl
#stitch with @Bossii Masu Nagaruk Hope this clears things up from a historical context. I went rambling for a bit. The Creoles established an identity for themselves as the true chosen people of the New World and pointed to the “miraculous” appearance of La Virgen de Guadalupe as described in Father Miguel Sanchez’s book as evidence of their preferred status. The Creoles referred to La Virgen as “La Criolla” and saw her alleged appearance in Mexico as proof that they were the chosen people of the New Jerusalem. #virginmary #guadalupe #virgindegualupe #mythsdebunked #colonization #colonialism #azteca #nahuatlahtolli #tonantzincoatlicue
♬ original sound - Senyaotl