Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It begins by discussing the history of the story, dating back to 1531 in Mexico-Tenochtitlan (what is today Mexico City) when the Virgin Mary appeared four times to the Christianized Indian, Juan Diego. The paper also discusses how the Guadalupe event has been studied and interpreted by historians.

From the Paper:

"Even in the Latino territory of southeast Los Angeles, images of the Virgin of Guadalupe are prominently displayed (Vergara). Our Lady of Guadalupe stands above the clouds on a crescent moon, her hands folded in prayer, her head slightly titled, rays of light emanating from her to form an aureloa: a celestial apparition based on the familiar idea of the Immaculate Conception (Vergara). The people who display her, especially shopkeepers, regard her as a powerful protector (Vergara). Mexicans believe Our Lady of Guadalupe helps people who have a problem and people who are sick. They believe that if you have faith in her, and put a candle by her image, you will be healed (Vergara). For the people of Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe is their historic banner, the symbol of so many popular causes (Coleman). In 1895, Pope Leo XII proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe as the queen of the Mexican people (Edwards). The Virgin has reflected multiple expressions of power. For example, She is a symbol of a revolutionary movement, a figure called on to express collective and individual identities (Boehm)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boehm, Deborah A. "Our Lady of Resistance: the Virgin of Guadalupe and contested constructions of community in Santa Fe, New Mexico." Journal of the Southwest. March 22, 2002. Retrieved November 27 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Bowen, Jennifer A. "Our Lady of Guadalupe: New devotional site dedicated to Mary at Our Lady of Snows." Belleville News-Democrat. September 4, 2005. Retrieved November 27 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Coleman, Patty. "Guadalupe caught in clerical struggle." National Catholic Reporter. June 14, 1996. Retrieved November 27 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• Edwards, Bob. "Commentary: Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico." Morning Edition: National Public Radio. January 4, 2002. Retrieved November 27 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.
• "The gift of Guadalupe." U.S. Catholic. December 1, 1999. Retrieved November 27 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

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