THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE by Central Christian Advocate

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 29, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 43.

THE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE.

By Central Christian Advocate

THE army of Cortez took with it to Mexico a rude representation, in the form of a wooden doll about a foot high, of the mother of our Saviour. On a certain night this image, known as the Virgin de los Remedios, suddenly disappeared, but it was afterward "miraculously" discovered in the heart of a large maguey on the top of a mountain. Later a rival Virgin, "Our Lady of Guadalupe," appeared upon the scene. According to the tradition, the Virgin Mary revealed herself not far from the City of Mexico to one Juan Diego, an Indian, and impressed her image upon his blanket.

These two representations of the Virgin, the one the patroness of the Spaniards, and the other the patroness of the Mexicans, have played a conspicuous part in Mexican history. They have occupied costly shrines; they have been loaded down with jewels; they have been worshiped by untold thousands; they have been carried through the streets in triumphal procession; they have been appealed to in

times of public distress; and they have figured on the standards of contending armies.

Since Mexico achieved her independence the influence of the Spanish Virgin has waned, while that of the Virgin of Guadalupe has been in the ascendant. Every year the anniversary of the supposed appearance of the Mexican Virgin is celebrated at the church of Guadalupe, with the rites which are even more of a travesty upon Christianity than is the gross superstition upon which they are founded. In view of all this it is interesting to learn that Eduardo Sanche Camacho, who has had the honesty and courage to express his disbelief in the reality of the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe, has as a consequence been forced to resign the bishopric of Tamaulipas, and that the Catholics of his state are largely sustaining him. An appeal in his behalf has been made to the pope, and unless he is reinstated a serious division in the church may result.—Central Christian Advocate.