This is our Lady of Guadalupe who guards the front door to our home.

December 12^th is the Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe. Derived from the catholic religion, Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Virgin of Guadalupe is seen everywhere in Mexico from candles in people’s windows to statues on cabbies dashboards to full alters in front of homes. Some believe her to be a darker skinned version of the Madonna or the Virgin Mary, who was first introduced to the culture by Cortez. While other believe that she was a vision seen by a Catholic clergymen in the 16th century.

Leading up to December 12th the “Guadalupeans” show their devotions to the virgin by praying, biking, running, walking and illuminating their home alters. In central Mexico those that worship Our Lady of Guadalupe make a pilgrimage to the Basílica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. People in the Yucatan that do not have resources or time to do this so they show their devotion through long, grueling journeys.

On our most recent trip to Valladolid we saw dozens of groups of young men and a few girls biking through the city.

We then returned to Puerto Morelos to find a parade leading to our own church right past the square. On December 12th devotees will flock to churches and homes throughout the country for masses. The mass will be followed by a celebration and as always in Mexico, a large meal. The tale of Guadalupe runs deep within the Mexican culture and there have been many books written about it for children and adults alike. For the quickie version of the tale, check out Wikipedia or Smart History. They tell very two different stories.