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March 11, 2003 - Visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Part I

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas

Photograph of the actual image on the "Tilma".

Mesoamerica, the New World, 1521: The capital city of the Aztec empire falls under the Spanish forces. Less than 20 years later, 9 million of the inhabitants of the land, who professed for centuries a polytheistic and human sacrificing religion, are converted to Christianity. What happened in those times that produced such an incredible and historically unprecedented conversion?

Link to the complete story

Link to the story of the Image

Picture of the original "tilma" displayed at the New Basilica and taken during our visit on March 14, 2003.

Picture of the Main Altar of the New Basilica where 14 Masses are celebrated every day.

Father Paul Edwards celebrating Mass at one of the chapels in the Mezzanine of the Basilica on March 11, 2003 during our visit to the Shrine.

The complete group in the "Plaza of the Americas"  This great open plaza permits the attendance of many hundreds of thousands beyond those who can enter the Basilica. On such occasions the front walls of the Basilica can be rolled aside permitting a view of the interior from the Plaza.  Behind them the New and Old Basilicas of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" and the Capuchin Chapel - Mexico City - March 11, 2003

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