Saint Juan Diego
Born: Spring 1474 Died: May 30th, 1548
Feast Day:
December 9th
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What he said
“I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, the tail end, a leaf.”
What the world was like
Juan Diego lived during the Age of Exploration. European adventurers sailed from their home countries to explore other lands. The Spanish arrived in Mexico in 1519.
With these explorers came missionaries who wanted to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to people. The people of Mexico had well-developed cultures of their own, which were very different from those of Europe. Sometimes these differences led to harsh treatment of the native Mexicans. Many missionaries, however, worked to improve conditions for the native people.
Who he was
Saint Juan Diego was born in Mexico near Mexico City. He was a poor man, but he was able to provide for himself by working in the fields and weaving mats.
He first learned about Jesus Christ through the preaching of missionaries. Their stories and teachings inspired him. He and his wife were baptized. His name had been one which meant “talking eagle.” At his Baptism he received the name Juan Diego.
Saint Juan Diego wanted to learn more about his faith. Twice a week, he and his wife walked fourteen miles to Mass and religious instruction. When he traveled, Juan Diego often wore a tilma, a rough cloak made from cloth of woven cactus fibers. The cloak protected him against the cold evenings and early mornings.
On December 9, 1531, Juan Diego was on his way to church when he saw a beautiful woman. She was dressed as an Aztec noblewoman. She called him by name and spoke in his own language. The woman told him she was Mary, Mother of Christ, and that she had a special task for him. He was to tell the bishop that she wanted a shrine to be built in that very spot. She wanted to show her “love, compassion, help, and protection” for all the people.
Juan Diego thought that the bishop would doubt such a request from a poor man like him, but he did as the Lady asked. The bishop did not believe Juan Diego at first. The bishop asked for a sign from the Lady that she was Mary, the Mother of God. In response to the bishop’s request, the Lady had Juan Diego fill his tilma with roses. Since it was December, it was amazing that these roses were blooming! So Juan Diego presented the roses to the bishop. There, imprinted on the tilma, was a picture of Mary as she had last appeared.
A small chapel was quickly built on the hill where Mary had appeared. The church was dedicated to Mary. Juan Diego lived in a small house nearby for the rest of his life. He cared for the church and those who visited it. He continued to share the story of Mary’s great sign of her love for the people of Mexico and all people.
What this saint means to us
By her appearances to Juan Diego Mary showed us that God loves each person, especially those who are needy or mistreated. God wants us to respect all people. Juan Diego did as God asked. By Mary’s and Juan Diego’s example, we can learn to see the dignity of each human being.
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