December 12th, Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Without a doubt, this date is one of the most representative ones for all Catholics in Mexico because it celebrates the apparition of Virgin Mary, of darker skin, to a native Mexican boy named Juan Diego in 1583. Virgin’s image got imprinted in the tunic of the boy, and is now venerated within the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Tepeyac’s hill in Mexico’s city.

Celebration begins at midnight of December 12th, when faithful believers gather round at her image to sing her the traditional mañananitas (happy birthday song). People from all around the country peregrine to the basilica dressed up with their native wear. Also, within all the churches in all Mexico, there are typical dancers and offers in their atrium. All these different manifestations are just a humble way of the people to show their love and respect to the one they consider their mother, Virgen de Guadalupe.