THE LADY GUADALUPE
Tomie de Paola THE LADY GUADALUPE
Under the direction of Romain Lizé, President, Magnificat Editor, Magnificat: Isabelle Galmiche Editor, Ignatius: Vivian Dudro Proofreader: Kathleen Hollenbeck Layout Designer: Magali Meunier Production: Thierry Dubus, Audrey Bord First published by Holiday House Inc., New York © 1980 by Tomie dePaola Published in 2024 by Magnificat, New York • Ignatius Press, San Francisco © by Whitebird, Inc. All rights reserved ISBN Magnificat 978-1-63967-098-7 • ISBN Ignatius Press 978-1-62164-750-8 for Ethel Souza and Jack Schanhaar
long time ago, in the country now called Mexico, there lived a man named Juan Diego. That was not always his name. Before the white men came across the sea from Spain, Juan Diego was called “He-who-speaks-likean-eagle.” He lived simply in the village of Tolpetlac with his wife, and he planted corn and paid his taxes to the great Aztec Empire. 5
ome of the white men were called friars. They spoke of the one God: the loving, merciful Father; the Son, who died and rose for all; and the Spirit, who dwells in our hearts. “He-who-speaks-like-an-eagle” and his wife listened to the friars. They became Christians, and their names were changed to Juan Diego and Maria Lucia. They were faithful to their new religion and had much peace and happiness. 6
ne winter Maria Lucia became ill and died. Juan Diego was heartbroken. But the friars told him not to be sad, that surely Maria Lucia was safe in the kingdom of God. Juan Diego continued to work hard, and just as he had done when his wife was alive, he went every Saturday to the Church of Santiago to pray at the Mass in honor of the Mother of God. And then he would stay for the great celebration of prayers and Mass on Sunday. 7
ut one day, on the ninth of December in the year 1531, something happened that would change his life forever. lt was just before dawn that Juan Diego put on his tilma, or cloak, and set out for the Saturday services at the church. lt was a fair distance from his village, but Juan Diego was used to it. He traveled on foot at a good pace, as had all his ancestors centuries before him. When Juan Diego neared the hill of Tepeyac, he heard what he thought was birdsong. But it was different. lt sounded as though a choir of birds were singing the chant that the friars had taught him. lt reminded Juan Diego of the music of the High Mass. Looking up, he saw that the top of the hill was covered by a brilliant white cloud. He decided to have a closer look. 8
s Juan Diego got nearer, the cloud seemed to explode in rays of color. And suddenly the music stopped. Silence was all around. Then Juan Diego heard a human voice—the sweet gentle voice of a woman—speaking in his own language. “Juan,” the voice said. “Juan Diego.” 9
uan Diego ran to the very top of the hill. As he got there, the cloud parted, and he saw the most beautiful lady dressed in what looked like the robes of an Aztec princess. Juan Diego threw himself down on his knees. The lady looked as if she were standing in front of the sun, with light all around her. Everything gleamed and glistened as though made of precious jewels and gold. 10
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Juan Diego’s tilma was made of ayate, a coarse fabric woven from agave fiber. Even though it is over 400 years old, it still shows no signs of deterioration. Ayate usually deteriorates in ten years or so. The coloring and technique of the portrait remain mysteries. Over the years, artists have tried, unsuccessfully, to reproduce the unlikely combination of oil, watercolor, tempera, and fresco. The colors have never faded. Experts disagree on the meaning of the word Guadalupe. Some say it is an Arabic word meaning “hidden river.” It is the name of a Marian shrine in Spain. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas. Printed in May 2024 by Dimograf, Poland Job number MGN 24L0247 Printed in compliance with the Consumer Protection Safety Act, 2008 Author's Note
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