Yesterday We Visited the Virgin of the Metro

Now contrary to what you may be imagining, it wasn't a thirteen year old, pimple-faced boy we visited at the entrance to the Hidalgo metro stop. The Virgin of the Metro is one of the many mystical images of the Virgin Mary that have been reported here in Mexico. According to the lonely planet guide book [or the green bible], there was a water pipe that leaked onto the tiles of the Hidalgo metro stop in the exact image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Local believers were in such awe of the occurrence that they cut out the tiles from the floor and had them framed in a glass case that now sits at the entrance to the metro stop.

When we arrived at the much talked about glass encasement, we were sorely disappointed. The image was difficult to see and we both agreed it looked more like the inkblots that psychologists use to analyze the ins and outs of the psyche. Nevertheless, it was a lovely walk to the stop through a beautiful historical park and we learned much more about why the Virgin Mary is the most celebrated religious figure in Mexico.

My mother will be happy to know that the tuition money for St. Patrick Elementary School was well spent, since I vividly recalled the story of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" from my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Behuniak [well ok, i had to look up some of the details]. As the story goes, during a walk from his village to the city on December 12, 1531, Juan Diego saw a vision of Mary on a hill. She told him to build a church on the site, but the bishop did not believe Diego's story. Mary then instructed Diego to gather the roses from the hill, even though it was winter time, and bring them to the bishop. When Diego presented the roses that he was carrying in his apron to the bishop, an image of Mary remained on the cloth. Although many church historians question the authenticity of the account, the Virgin of Guadalupe has become a symbol of Mexican culture and a turning point in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the indigenous population.

Every year on December 12, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe to commemorate the visions seen by Juan Diego. We have been told that some of them even finish the last mile or so of their journey walking on their knees. The days leading to the 12th are celebrated by locals with festivals and dancing. We plan on visiting the Basilica and possibly participating in some of the activities before we board the plane for Atlanta on the 14th. It will certainly be an interesting and exciting end to our very long journey.