Our Lady of Guadalupe
On my first visit to Mexico City in 2022, I arrived a few days before the annual celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. From the airport taxi I saw an old truck adorned with decorations and a shrine of the Lady of Guadalupe driving slowly on the shoulder, with people walking and biking behind it. I soon discovered that people from all over the country were flocking to Mexico City, traveling by plane, car, and many even on foot, to celebrate the sighting of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, 1531.
On December 9th, 1531, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego, requesting a shrine to be built in her honor. The local bishop demanded a sign as proof, and she appeared two more times to Juan Diego. On December 12th, she instructed Juan to pick roses, which miraculously appeared in the winter. When Juan returned to the bishop and opened his cloak the roses fell out and a beautiful image of the Virgin was imprinted on his tilma (apron). As per her request, the bishop ordered the basilica to be built on Tepeyac Hill.
Intending to stick to the touristy areas on my first trip, after seeing the autos and pilgrims I knew I had to dive in and witness this cultural celebration and climb the steep stairs up to her basilica. I returned in 2023 to walk the Paseo de Reforma from the center of Mexico City to Tepeyac Hill to document the procession of the pilgrims to the basilica.