Update On Not Made By Human Hands: Our Documentary On Our Lady Of Guadalupe

It’s been an amazing journey bringing Not Made By Human Hands to life, and we’re thrilled to share where we are—and where we’re headed next.

Premiere Date

We’re delighted to announce that the film will debut on December 12, 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This isn’t just the liturgical celebration—it marks the 494th anniversary of Mary’s apparition to Juan Diego and sets the perfect stage as we enter the final stretch toward her 500th anniversary in 2031.

Why Now?

In 1531, amidst the turmoil of the Protestant Reformation, millions drifted from the Church—yet through her loving apparition, Our Lady of Guadalupe drew roughly nine million souls back into the fold. Today, we face our own crisis of faith: secularism, disaffection, and families fractured by indifference. As we approach the half-millennium milestone, Mary’s maternal call feels more urgent than ever. Across generations—young and old alike—people are encountering a renewed sense of the sacred. We believe there’s a fresh “Catholic Moment” underway, and we hope our film stokes that flame: to stand firm in our identity, draw near to her Son, and entrust our hopes to her gentle care.

The Heart of the Apparition

What continues to captivate us is how God patiently prepares His people, and how Mary’s compassion brings that preparation to fruition. In 1531, He chose a humble Indigenous man—Juan Diego—rather than a bishop or dignitary. Her words to him, “Listen, my dearest and youngest son… it is very necessary that you personally go and plead,” reveal a love that’s profoundly intimate. Her message is universal, yet personal: Jesus hears us, He readies us, and Mary guides us straight to Him.

Project Progress & Funding Update

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’ve now raised $71,000 toward our $100,000 goal! These funds are already hard at work:

• Bilingual Production: Shooting both Spanish and English versions to reach hearts everywhere.

• Visual Excellence: Colorization of archival footage, original reenactments, and immersive cinematography.

• High-Impact Design: Rich visual content to honor Mary’s beauty and power, from artistic title sequences to careful restoration of historical imagery.

We’re just $30,000 away from fully realizing this vision—and every dollar brings us closer to a film that can move viewers in either language, on any continent. 

LifeSite News has featured an article on our docu-series!  Find the article here.

Voices & Insights

We’re honored to work with esteemed scholars and storytellers who lend our film depth and credibility:

• Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ on the science and theological resonance of the tilma

• Jorge Sevilla on the historical and cultural context of 1531 Mexico

• Other priests and experts whose personal testimonies remind us that Mary’s presence is alive today.

Mary’s Guiding Hand

This June marks a year from our own team's pilgrimmage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  We stayed only a few blocks from the Basilica at the convent of the Conceptionistas where we had Mass with them every day.  They fed us and allowed us to film in their chapel. We visited the shrine every day. 

Throughout this project, we’ve encountered setbacks—scheduling delays, budget constraints, creative challenges. Yet time and again doors have swung open in ways we couldn’t have foreseen. One priest collaborator cautioned us:

“Don’t expect this to be easy. Our Lady doesn’t promise ease—but when she whispers ‘¡Rápido!,’ you know it’s her urging you forward in peace.”

We’ve seen that whisper in small miracles: an unexpected interview, a priest in our own diocese who grew up in Guadalajara with a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and friends who have stepped up to donate to this important project. It reminds us that Mary cares even about the smallest details, and that when we trust her, incredible things can happen.

What’s Next?

• Pray for the success of Not Made By Human Hands and that many people are impacted by the film.

• Final Push: Help us reach our $100,000 goal by donating here.

We’re so excited by the potential of this film to inspire new generations—and to renew our own hearts before her Son. Onward, ¡rápido! —in peace and in hope.