Saint Juan Diego
the one with the roses of Tepeyac
Who was Saint Juan Diego?
- He was an Indigenous man of Mexico. According to a well-documented tradition, he was born in 1474. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to him on the hill of Tepeyac. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002); Nican Mopohua
- He carried roses in his tilma to the bishop. When he opened it, the image of the Virgin appeared on it. Nican Mopohua; vatican.va, John Paul II, July 31, 2002
- The name
- His native name, Cuauhtlatoatzin, meant “Talking Eagle,” or “He who speaks like an eagle.” vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- Also called
- Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- From
- Cuauhtitlán, then in the kingdom of Texcoco, in Mexico vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- Feast day
- December 9: Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
The path of Saint Juan Diego
- Before Jesus. As a grown man and father of a family, he was baptized together with his wife, María Lucía. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- Before Jesus. His wife died in 1529. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- With Jesus. On December 9, 1531, on his way to Tlatelolco, the Virgin Mary appeared to him at Tepeyac. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- With Jesus. Our Lady asked him to go to the bishop, so that a temple would be built for her there. Nican Mopohua; vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- With Jesus. The bishop, Friar Juan de Zumárraga, did not believe him at first and asked for a sign. Nican Mopohua
- With Jesus. On December 12, Our Lady sent him to the top of the hill to cut flowers. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002); Nican Mopohua
- With Jesus. Before the bishop he opened his tilma. The roses fell out, and the image of Our Lady appeared on it. Nican Mopohua; vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- Afterward. He lived beside the church, caring for the chapel and welcoming pilgrims. He died in 1548. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
Words of Saint Juan Diego
Juan Diego left no writings. What he said is recorded in the Nican Mopohua, an account from the 1500s; here we tell it in our own words.
What they were like
- He was a man of faith: he was nourished by the Eucharist and studied the catechism. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- He saw himself as a small man, and he asked Our Lady to send someone more important. Nican Mopohua
- John Paul II called him a good Indian and a good Christian, a faithful and true man. vatican.va, John Paul II, homily of July 31, 2002
The greatest thing they did
- He went back to the bishop even though he was not believed at first. Nican Mopohua; vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- He left his house and his belongings to live beside Our Lady’s church. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
- John Paul II said he made possible the fruitful meeting of two worlds. vatican.va, John Paul II, homily of July 31, 2002
In the Church today
Feast day: December 9, Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (optional memorial). General Roman Calendar; Roman Martyrology, December 9
In art, recognized by: The tilma full of roses Nican Mopohua; this is how Christian art shows him
What people ask
What is a tilma?
The cloak Juan Diego wore to keep warm: a cloth woven from maguey fiber, the clothing of poor native people. Nican Mopohua
What happened to his uncle?
His uncle, Juan Bernardino, was very sick. Our Lady assured Juan Diego that he was already healed, and so it was. Nican Mopohua
When was he declared a saint?
Saint John Paul II canonized him on July 31, 2002, in the Basilica of Guadalupe. vatican.va, John Paul II, homily of July 31, 2002
What does Cuauhtlatoatzin mean?
“Talking Eagle,” or “He who speaks like an eagle.” vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002)
Little known He received the Eucharist three times a week. vatican.va, biography of Saint Juan Diego (2002) People of his time would say to their children: “May God make you…
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See the mapWho Saint Juan Diego is connected to
- Mary · Our Lady of Tepeyac
More people
All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible