The Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe is a beloved devotion that fascinates both believers and non-believers. Millions of pilgrims travel across the world to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. A long list of miracles are attributed to Our Lady. 

The original tilma of St. Juan Diego, which is on display the basilica, has been subjected to scientific testing to prove its miraculous authenticity. 

St. Juan Diego's original tilma as it hangs today in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City

This Marian apparition is like no other. What makes it truly captivating is the fact that the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appears to defy scientific explanation. 

For instance, there is no undersketch, and an examination has revealed that there are no brush strokes. In addition, the origination of the coloring has not yet been discovered by scientists. 

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Here are a few interesting facts about the Our Lady of Guadalupe image:

• The image is proven to not be painted by human hands
• The image and fabric have miraculously lasted in the original condition for nearly 500 years
• The weak cactus fiber, of which the tilma was made, should have decomposed within 15-20 years of being woven
• No natural or animal mineral colorings, or paint, are found on the image
• The image itself is iridescent, and cannot be produced by hand
• Mary stands on a crescent moon, the same crescent moon that was in the sky on the day of her apparition
• Mary's mantle is a constellation map, the same constellations that were in the sky as on the day of her apparition
• The constellations tell the story of the Gospel with the arrangement of "Leo" in the womb of "Virgo"
• Our Lady's garment is a topographic map of the geographic location of her apparition
• On Mary's neck is a small black cross, identifying her with the Catholic missionary priests
• Over her womb on her dress is a four-petal flower—the Aztec symbol of life and divinity
• In the image Mary is "clothed with the sun" with "the moon at her feet" as described in Revelation 12:1
• A doctor once heard a heartbeat coming from the image when he placed a stethoscope over the womb
• The eyes on the image have the refractory characteristics of human eyes
• Mary's eyes, when examined through a microscope, reflect the images of the witnesses present at the tilma's unveiling, including Juan Diego and the bishop

MORE RESOURCES ON THE MIRACULOUS IMAGE

Here is a video presentation which further explains the many miraculous features and occurrences surrounding the Guadalupe image:

The Knights of Columbus have great resources on the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to whom they have a special devotion. Visit their interactive website: Secrets of the Guadalupe Image.

You can also discover the whole story of the Blessed Virgin Mary's appearance to St. Juan Diego here. 

Would you like to learn how to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day with family and friends? There is a post here that gives you ideas for honoring this Marian feast!