Saint Juan Diego

Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Juan Diego cooperated with God’s grace in showing his people that the Good News of Jesus is for everyone. 

Pope John Paul II called the new saint “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian. “In praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the closeness of the Church and the pope, embracing you with love and encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are going through.”Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.