Basilica of Guadalupe
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the largest and the most frequently visited place of cult after Vatican City. It visits him annually on average 10-20 millions' of pilgrims. Shrine was erected onto demand of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because od announcing Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of Latin America and Philippines, in front of Basilica there are 24 flags of states of American continent as well as flag of Philippines.Soon after the apparition to st. Juan Diego, a small chappel was built. But the present church was constructed on the site of an earlier 16th-century church that was finished in 1709, the Old Basilica.
Old Basilica "Santa Maria de Guadalupe"
The statue (behind Basilica) which represents a scene of unfolding the Tilma
-The Altar of Basilica. Above it a copy of the miraculous Image
-Pilgrims with Basilica in the background
When this basilica became dangerous due to the sinking of its foundations, a modern structure called the New Basilica was built nearby; the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is now housed in this New Basilica. Built between 1974 and 1976 by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez, who designed this basilica; agnostic, who converted himself after the study of the Miraculous Image.
New Basilica reminds it's shape a great tent, round tent raised formerly on the desert, similar to which God ordered Moses to raise at the foot of Sinai mountain.
It has a circular floorplan so that the image of the Virgin can be seen from any point within the building. At the top of Basilica there is a cross, which basis is the letter M, marking both Virgin Mary and Mexico. An empty crucifix symbolizes Christ's resurrection.
In the New Basilica there's a place for about 12.000 people, and on the plaza in front of Basilica there's a place for about 30.000 people.
The choir is located between the altar and the churchgoers to indicate that it, too, is part of the group of the faithful. To the sides are the chapels of Santisimo and of Saint Joseph. Its seven front doors are an allusion to the seven gates of Celestial Jerusalem referred to by Christ.
New Basilica "Santa Maria de Guadalupe"
-The statue of J.P.II next to Basilica
-Basilica close up
-Basilica's interior
Basilica seen from Mexico City
In this holy place, year after year millions of pilgrims gather themselfs. This is a place, where Virgin Mary obtains innumerable mercies for worshippers.
Pope Benedict XIV, on the power of special papal decree, announced Our Lady of Guadalupe the Patroness of Mexico as well as Queen of Northern Americas countries. Present Pope John Paul II after assumption of _Peter's Capital_ did one of his first pilgrimages to Mexico, even before he went to USA.
Image of Our Lady above Basilica's Altar
Pipe organ of Basilica
Modern lighting of the church
The Tepeyac Hill
This church was built at the top of Tepeyac, at the place of Apparition.
At the foot of the church is a garden with the variety of rosas, in memorial of rosas from Our Lady.
Miraculous events in Basilica's history
Rector of Basilica "Virgen de Guadalupe": Mons. Diego Monroy Ponce:"At our Basilica we are looking on a great number of miracles every day. Personally I know the case of a man, who's cancer was very advanced. Doctors were helpless, but he, known of his dying, devoted his life for the protection of Virgin Mary. It's amazing, but the illness started to regret in an unknown way and this man was totally healed.
The next case I want to mention is a history of a man, who was hurt seriously. He fell down from the height of several meters [from translator: more than ten] durring the renovation of house. His family started to pray intensively to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Also in this incident prayers has been heard. This man came back to health very fast."
These are only a few of the events, which have/had place in the history of Basilica.
Day after day one can meet tens of persons, who are going hundreds of meters on the knees before the Altar of sanctuary, to thank for received mercies or devote oneself for protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Before the sanctuary's Altar very often have place, seen as miraculous, conversions.
The most significant event occured over 70. years ago.
A photograph after the bomb attack
"In 1927 in the period of persecution of Catholicism mexican communist placed a flower-pot with flowers before the Image. Inside there was a bomb. Bomb exploded and then a miracle has happen, next mysterious event connected with the image. Despite the destruction of the Altar, the image [(and covering it glass)] wasn't damaged. The Cross, that was before the image took the whole power of explosion, as if Christ has saved the Image of Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe".
Present Indian culture
Rector of Basilica "Virgen de Guadalupe":
"Music is an important way to show our religiosity. In our sanctuary there is a group of young people, singers, very special and typical for Mexico. That are Mariachi. Those people come here and sing for Our Lady of Guadalupe."
Because the religiosity of Mexico is closely banded with its culture, solemnities of the Church become events, which are the main part of Mexico's culture landscape. An example of this is so called fiesta, organised f.ex. in cause of parish kermesses.
Above you can see fiesta mexicana on the solemnity of st. John Baptist. Dances and parades ends only next day in the morning.
-Sounds of the parade