Our Lady of Guadalupe, is situated directly behind the left wing of the Shrine. It was at Guadalupe that the Blessed Mother appeared to the aged Mexican Indian, Juan Diego, on a Saturday morn, December 9, 1531. The fact that she chose an Indian has its special significance in this that the first inhabitant of the American continent was the Indian. 

Juan Diego was on his way to Mass and instruction when, suddenly, he was halted by an intense, blinding light, from which he heard a voice calling his name. The dazzling splendor opened and revealed a glorious bright Lady. She spoke to him softly, telling him to go immediately to Bishop Zumarrage, a Franciscan, and tell the Bishop that the Blessed Virgin requests that a church be built in her honor at that very spot.

The Bishop, to ascertain Diego's truthfulness, demanded a sign or token from the Blessed Virgin. The Blessed Mother then directed Juan to pick roses in an area and time when it was impossible to find and pick a rose.

Juan gathered the unusual roses, placed them in his cloak and proceeded to the Bishop, saying: "Here, my Father, is the sign you asked the roses of Guadalupe." Juan Diego then opened his cloak. The fragrant roses fell at the feet of the Bishop - and all present noticed that on the Indian's course cloth was dyed a life-size picture of the Blessed Virgin just as Juan had seen and described her.

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