Religion: Quauhtlatohua's Tilma

Colorful and jolly as are most Roman Catholic festivals in Latin countries, they might have seemed sedate beside one which began last week at the Basilica of Guadalupe near Mexico City. There were noise, dancing, eating & drinking. From all parts of Mexico and Latin America had come 50,000 pilgrims. Ultimately, 100,000 were expected. Indians, mestizos, pure-blooded aristocrats—every class except government (antireligious) officials —were present to do honor to Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. With smashing crescendo of clanging bells, electric illuminations, masses, there will be celebrated this week the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There is an especially composed Guadalupe Hymn. Next year has been officially designated Guadalupe Year. In the archdiocese of Guadalajara, all female infants baptized in 1931 have been named Guadalupe, all boys José Guadalupe. This, by the archbishop's decree, has caused considerable confusion but much pious feeling.

On Dec. 9, 1531, a lowly Indian named Quauhtlatohua left his home in Cuauhtitlan to go to mass in Tlaltelolco. His name had been changed at baptism to Juan Diego. As he passed by the barren, rugged hill of Tepeyac, site of old Aztec shrines which the Spaniards had overthrown, there appeared to him, amid rainbow colors and heavenly music, a beautiful woman. It was the Virgin Mary! She addressed Juan Diego as hijo mio (my son), told him to go at once to the bishop and say that she wished a church built on the hill. Juan Diego went, but the Bishop did not believe him. Three days later the Virgin appeared again to Juan, told him to ascend the hill, where only cactus grew. There he found fragrant roses blooming, plucked them, took them in his tilma (rough blanket) to the bishop. When the tilma was unfolded, imprinted on it was a miraculous image of the Virgin. A chapel was speedily built on the hill; the image became an object of veneration, was named Guadalupe after the famed Spanish shrine. In the 17th Century the validity of the apparition was accorded Papal recognition; in the 18th Century the Virgin Mary was by a Papal Bull declared Mexico's Patroness and Protectress. Religious enthusiasm was unbounded and Dec. 12 was set apart forever as a clay for holy fiestas.

A baroque Collegiate Church (Basilica), erected to supersede the chapel, was completed in 1709 at a cost of $3,000,000. This, says skeptical Terry's guidebook, "is no doubt a gross exaggeration." By last week, some $800,000 had been spent in alterations, and clerics and pilgrims were ready for the opening ceremonies of the 400th anniversary fiesta: reconsecration of the altars, high mass, a view of the tilma, its holy image and the bejewelled Sacred Golden Crown of the Virgin, quoted at $250,000.