The Tilma of Juan Diego

By Crusader1307

 Perhaps one of the more unusual tales in The Western Catholic Church – with regards to the Canonization of a Saint, Juan Diego is such one. The first ''Native American'' to be so honored, His road to Sainthood revolves around a Marian Apparition which happened (5 times as it is said), in 1531 Mexico. Juan was a Lay Worker for the local Bishop. Sent on an errand, Diego wore the traditional Tilma (a cloak-like poncho). During His first errand, Juan stated that a ''blinding light appeared on a Hill before Him''. When the ''glare'' resided – He beheld the most ''beautiful woman He had ever seen, dressed in White''. The ''Figure'' spoke to Juan – and reveled Her identity as The ''Mother of God''. She further instructed Juan to tell His Bishop to build a Chapel in Her honor, on the spot from where Her and Juan ''spoke''. Juan ran back and related His ''encounter'', but The Bishop simply scoffed and scolded Him for not performing His task. Juan again went out the next day to finish. Again, The ''Lady in White'' appeared, and again she made Her ''request''. Juan again went back to tell The Bishop.

This time, The Bishop was outside tending to His Garden. He maintained a beautiful botanical garden of plants and flowers – mostly brought from Spain. The Bishop had several varieties of beautiful Roses, but due to the weather (December), they were hibernating. When Juan told His story again, The Bishop without anger this time, laughed and asked for ''proof'' of His encounter. Juan said He had none and then went back to His task from before. When Juan passed The Hill a third time, as before – The ''Lady'' appeared. She said nothing, but smiled and disappeared. Juan saw that a stand of beautiful Roses had sprung from where The ''Lady'' had stood. Juan picked up The Roses, as a gift for The Bishop (wrapping them up in His Tilma). Diego continued on His journey and delivered The Bishop's message to a neighboring Parish. Upon returning, The Bishop was waiting. He asked (in humor) for the requested ''proof''. Juan stated He had none. But Juan said that He had found The Bishop some beautiful flowers for His Garden. The Bishop again scoffed, telling Juan that it was indeed too cold for such flowers. But Juan handed over The Tilma to The Bishop.

Staring in disbelief, The Bishop saw not only Roses that should not have been in bloom, but imprinted on Juan's Tilma – the image of The ''Lady'' Juan claimed He saw. Having sent word to The Cardinal of the amazing encounter, The Church would eventually claim Juan's Tilma as a Relic and proof of a Marian Apparition. They did indeed built at first a Chapel and later a massive Cathedral called The Cathedral of Out Lady of Guadalupe. The Tilma is said to be displayed occasionally for The Faithful to admire. Historically, many find several faults in Juan's story as well as the possibility that The Church ''altered'' and may have even created the tale as a means of helping in converting the local indigenous population (of which it did in great numbers). The Church has so far refused to allow exacting scientific examination of The Tilma, to determine IF in fact the image was painted or burned (etched) in some fashion. But regardless, Juan Diego (who would Himself become a Saint after His death), started a massive influx of Catholic Converts in 17th Century Mexico.