Why is the Virgin of Guadalupe celebrated on December 12?

According to tradition, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared four times to Juan Diego on the Tepeyac hill. The last of these miraculous encounters took place on December 12, 1531 

A little history

According to popular traditions, on Tuesday, December 12, 1531, the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to the indigenous Juan Diego for the fourth time. The incident happened very early in the morning when the native of Cuautitlán went out in search of help for his sick uncle. The Patron Saint of Mexico met the humble man next to "Pocito" where she told him that his uncle was already healthy. 

Thus, he asked him to climb to the top of the Tepeyac hill where he would find some roses, at a time and in a place where they did not bloom, which he could gather and bring before the bishop as proof of his miraculous encounters in which requested the construction of a temple in the vicinity of the place.

Around noon, Juan Diego was received by Bishop Zumárraga, who witnessed how from Juan Diego's ayate, several Castile roses fell, at the same time that the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was revealed from the blanket.

December 12, Guadalupana day

After the miracle of the fourth apparition of the Virgin on December 12, 1531, the event has been celebrated with great devotion ever since. The first news we have of an official celebration is from 1667, when the bull of Pope Clement IX instituted December 12 as a feast day in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. By 1824, the National Congress declared December 12 as a National Holiday.

In 1988, the liturgical celebration of the Virgin was elevated to the rank of Feast also in all the dioceses of the United States of America. Currently, Guadalupano expressions of love have multiplied: the pilgrims who celebrate the Virgin in La Villa number approximately two million.

As is tradition, the celebrations begin on December 11 at 6:45 p.m. with the popular serenade to the Virgin of Guadalupe, followed by various tributes until midnight. when the traditional Mañanitas are sung. All early morning and until 8:00 p.m. On December 12, a series of Masses continues, the most important of which is the one dedicated to the Celebration and Blessing of the Roses, at noon.