Manuscript Copy of Nican Mopohua preserved in the New York Public Library.
Manuscript Copy of Nican Mopohua preserved in the New York Public Library.
Nican Mopohua (Here is told
) is the oldest narration of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Catholic Indian,
Juan Diego, in 1531, near Mexico City. Written in the native language, Náhuatl, it is almost certainly the work of Don Antonio
Valeriano – himself a descendant of the royal house of Tacuba that stemmed from Emperor Moctezuma II, and therefore a figure of great
importance in the 16th Century. He was born circa 1520, before the apparitions, and received education and the true Faith from
the Franciscan friars of the College of the Holy Cross at Tlaltilolco. He later became Governor of the Indians of Mexico City for
thirty-six years. He was remarkable as an arbiter between the colonists and the indigenous peoples. He had a profound knowledge
of Latin and of spiritual and ecclesiastical matters. He inherited from his ancestors numerous drawings and documents referring
to the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and received first-hand testimony from Juan Diego, Juan Bernardino, and Bishop Zumárraga.
Thus he was the first to write down the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, perhaps as early as 1545 – only fourteen years after the apparitions.
The translation attempts to be faithful with the style of the original, and yet easily comprehended by the modern reader.
One is edified by the frequent use of familiar diminutives: Juan Dieguito,
the littlest of my sons (daughters),
and even Juan Diego's addressing Our Lady as my Lady and Child (Señora y Niña mía).
Here is told, in order and in concert, the miraculous manner in which the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our Queen, appeared recently on the hill of Tepeyac, which is called Guadalupe.
She first allowed Herself to be seen by a poor Indian named Juan Diego; afterward Her precious Image appeared before the new Bishop (Bishop-elect) Fray Juan de Zumárraga. Also related are all the miracles which She worked.
Ten years after the conquest of Mexico City, when arrows and shields were laid aside, when everywhere there was peace in the villages, Faith began to sprout, send out its green leaves, and blossom into the knowledge of Him by Whom we live – the true God. At that time, in the year 1531, a few days into the month of December, there lived an Indian, a poor villager. His name was Juan Diego and is said to have been a native of Cuautítlan, and in all the things of God, he resorted to (the mission of) Tlatilolco. It was Saturday, very early in the morning, and he was coming to learn of God and His commandments.
When he got close to the little hill called Tepeyac, it was already dawn. He heard singing on the hill, like the song of
many exotic birds; and when they ceased, it was as if the hill responded, exceedingly soft and delightful – the singing surpassed that
of the Coyoltotl, the Tzinitzcan, and other exotic birds. Juan Diego stopped to look, and said to himself, Am I really worthy to hear
this? Am I dreaming? Should I wake up? Where am I? Perhaps in the earthly paradise, which, it is said by the ancients,
our first parents had to leave? Am I already in Heaven?
He was looking toward the east, to the top of the little hill,
whence the beautiful heavenly singing had come, when suddenly the singing ceased. And just as silence fell, he heard voices calling him
from the top of the little hill, Juanito; Juan Dieguito.
Then he dared to go to where the voices had called to him. No disturbance arose in his heart, nor did anything alarm him; rather, he felt extremely happy and content. He went up the little hill whence the voices had come. When he reached the summit, he saw a young Lady standing there, who called to him to come closer to Her.
Coming into Her presence, he marveled greatly at Her superhuman grandeur – Her garment was radiant as the sun, and the rock of the crag upon which She stood glistened as if by rays of lightning. Her splendor was like that of precious stones, illuminating the ground like a rainbow in fog. The mesquites, nopales (cactus), and other plants growing there looked like emeralds and their foliage like turquoise; their trunks, thorns and fruits shone like gold.
In Her presence he prostrated himself and listened to Her soft and extremely courteous and affable words, spoken as if She cared for and
esteemed him greatly. She said to him, Juanito, the littlest of my sons, where are you going?
He replied, My Lady and Child,
my Queen, I have to go to Thy church of Mexico Tlatilolco, to pursue the things of God, given and taught to us by our priests,
the delegates of Our Lord.
Then She spoke to him and revealed Her holy will, saying to him, Know and hold as certain, littlest of my sons,
that I am the Ever-Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the true God, by Whom you live, the Creator of all, the Lord of Heaven and earth.
I strongly desire that a temple be erected here, in which I will manifest and give all my love, compassion, aid and protection,
because I am your loving Mother; the Mother of you and all the inhabitants of the earth; a Mother to those who love me, who call
upon Me, who seek Me and trust in Me. I will hear all their cries here, and remedy all their miseries, sorrows, and pains.
And in order to realize My merciful designs, go to the residence of the Bishop of Mexico City, and tell him that I send you to
manifest to him what I desire so much: that here, on the plain, he should build Me a temple. Tell him exactly what you have seen
and admired, and what you have heard. Rest assured that I will be very grateful to you and recompense you; I will make you happy,
and you will be well-deserving of the reward I will give you for the work and fatigue with which you procure what I have asked.
See, littlest of my sons, you have already heard my request; now go, and put forth all your effort.
Immediately he prostrated before Her and said, My Lady and Child, I am going right away to accomplish Thy command.
For now, I, your humble servant, bid Thee farewell.
Then he went down to do as he had been commanded; and he departed by the
road that leads straight to Mexico City. Having entered the city, he went directly to the residence of the Bishop, who had only
recently arrived there. His name was Fray Juan de Zumárraga, a religious of St. Francis. As soon as he got there, Juan Diego
tried to see him; he begged his servants to notify the Bishop. After a long while, they returned to tell him that the Bishop
commanded him to come before him. When he entered, he bowed and knelt before him, and immediately gave him the wonderful message
from the Queen of Heaven; he also told him how greatly he admired Her, and all he had seen and heard. After hearing this narration
and the request, the Bishop seemed not to believe him, and he replied, My son, you will come again when I can listen to you calmly,
and I will examine this event from the very beginning and consider the request which you have delivered.
Juan Diego went away sad;
because in no way had his message been accepted.
That same afternoon he returned; he went straight to the summit of the hill and had the joy of finding the Queen of Heaven
waiting for him in the same place where She had first appeared to him. As soon as he saw Her, he threw himself down prostrate upon the
ground before Her. He said to Her, My little Patroness, my Lady and Queen, the littlest of my daughters, My Child – I went where
Thou didst send me to fulfill Thy command. It was with difficulty that I entered the residence of the Prelate; I saw him and expounded
Thy message, just as Thou didst instruct me. He received me benignly and listened attentively; but when he replied, it seemed that he
did not understand or consider it as certain. He said I must come again, and that he would listen to me calmly, even from the very beginning,
and would consider Thy request. I understood perfectly from the way he answered that he thinks it is perhaps my invention that Thou dost
wish a temple to be built here, and perhaps not Thy own command. Therefore I earnestly beseech Thee, my Lady and Child, my Queen,
entrust Thy message to one of the nobility, who is known, esteemed and respected, and who will be believed. For I am a little man of the
country, an old piece of leather... insignificant. And Thou, my Child, the littlest of my daughters, my Lady – Thou dost send me to a place
where I am unworthy to go or stay. Forgive me for causing Thee grief and falling into Thy displeasure, my Lady and Mistress.
The Most Holy Virgin answered him: Listen, littlest of my sons; understand that there are many of my servants and messengers,
whom I could entrust to deliver My message and do My will, but it is absolutely necessary that you yourself help and make the request,
and that it be through your mediation that My will be fulfilled. I earnestly beseech you, and I strictly command you, littlest of my sons,
that you go again to see the Bishop tomorrow. Give him the message in My name and let him fully know My will, that he has to build the temple
that I ask of him. And again, tell him that it is I Myself, the Ever-Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, that sends you.
Juan Diego answered: My Lady and Child, let me not cause Thee sorrow and distress. I will go gladly to fulfill Thy command;
in no way will I turn aside from accomplishing it nor will I consider the path too difficult. I will go to do Thy will; but perhaps I will
not be listened to, or if I am listened to, perhaps I will not be believed. Tomorrow afternoon, after the sun goes down, I will come with
the reply of the Prelate. Now I say goodbye, littlest of my daughters, my Child and Lady. Rest until then.
Then he went home to rest.
The next day, Sunday, very early in the morning when it was still dark, he left his house and came straight to Tlatilolco, to be instructed in the things of God, and to put his name on the list of those who were to see the Bishop. At about ten o'clock, he assisted at Holy Mass, after which he presented himself, was put on the list, and the other people dispersed. Juan Diego went immediately to the Bishop's Palace. When he arrived, he again had to make great efforts to see the Bishop, and after much difficulty, he finally did so. He knelt at his feet, weeping and lamenting as he explained the command of the Queen of Heaven, and his ardent wish that his message and the desire of Mary Immaculate, that a temple be built where She had appeared, would be believed.
The Bishop asked him many things, in order to be certain – where he saw Her, what She was like – and he described everything
perfectly to the Bishop. But though he accurately described Her appearance, and how clearly he had seen that She was truly the Ever-Virgin
Mary, the Most Holy Mother of Our Savior Jesus Christ, the Bishop nevertheless did not fully believe him. He said that it was not enough
to have Juan Diego's word and solicitude in order to grant the request; it was extremely necessary to have some sign, so that he could believe
that Juan Diego was sent by the Queen of Heaven Herself. Hearing this, Juan Diego said to the Bishop, My Lord, consider what sign
thou dost request, for I will go and ask it of the Queen of Heaven, Who sent me here.
The Bishop, seeing him ratifying everything, and in nothing vacillating or hesitating, then let him go. But he immediately ordered some of those in his household, in whom he had absolute confidence, that they should follow Juan Diego, observing where he went, whom he saw, and to whom he spoke. And so it was done. Juan Diego left directly by the main road, but when those who followed him approached the ravine, near the wooden bridge to Tepeyac, they lost sight of him. And although they searched everywhere, they could not find him. So they returned, not only greatly annoyed by this, but also angry that he had thwarted their intent. They went to tell the Bishop and try to put it into his head that he should not believe Juan Diego, that what he had said was no more than lies, or nothing more than an invention or dream. And they were determined that if he ever came again, they would seize him and severely chastise him, so that he would never more lie to or agitate the people.
Meanwhile, Juan Diego was with the Most Holy Virgin, telling Her the answer he had brought from the Lord Bishop.
Upon hearing it, the Lady told him: It is well, my son, that you return here tomorrow, in order to take to the Bishop the sign he has
asked for; with that, he will believe and will no longer doubt concerning this, nor be suspicious of you. Know, my little son,
that I will reward you for your care and work, and the fatigue you have endured for me. Go now, I will await you tomorrow.
The next day, Monday, when Juan Diego was supposed to deliver the sign in order to be believed, he did not return, because when he had arrived at his home, he found his uncle, named Juan Bernardino, had become seriously ill. He went instead to a doctor, who gave him some assistance – but not in time, for the sickness was already very serious. That night his uncle begged him to go at the crack of dawn to fetch a priest from Tlatilolco to hear his confession and prepare him for death, for he was very sure that his time to die had come, and that he could not recover.
On Tuesday, very early in the morning, Juan Diego was coming from his home towards Tlatilolco to call a priest; and when
he arrived at the road that goes around the west side of the slope of the hill of Tepeyac, where he usually passed by, he said to himself:
If I go straight, perhaps the Lady will not see me, for otherwise She will detain me to carry the sign to the Bishop, as She commanded me;
but in order that first our affliction leave us, I must first hurry to call the priest, for my poor uncle is certainly waiting.
Then he went around the hill to the eastern side, so that he could reach Mexico (Tlatilolco) quickly, and the Queen of Heaven would not
detain him.
Juan Diego thought that, by taking this route, She Who sees everywhere perfectly, would not be able to see him. But he saw
Her coming down from the top of the hill, looking toward where he used to see Her. She came to meet him on the side of the hill and said:
What is this, littlest of my sons? Where are you going?
And he – was he perhaps a little embarrassed or timid?
He prostrated himself before Her, and greeted Her, saying: My Child, the littlest of my daughters, my Lady. I hope Thou
art content. Hast Thou had a good morning? Art Thou in good health? My Lady and Child, I am so sorry that I am causing Thee affliction.
Know, my Child, that my poor uncle, Thy servant, is very ill. A serious illness has afflicted him, and he is certainly near death.
I am going to Thy church in Mexico (Tlatilolco) to call one of the beloved priests of Our Lord, to hear his confession and prepare
him for death; for since we are born, we await the work of our death. But if I go to do this, I will return here later, to deliver Thy
message. Pardon me, my Lady and Child; be patient with me for now; I am not deceiving Thee, littlest of my daughters – tomorrow,
without fail, I will come with all haste.
After listening to the words of Juan Diego, the most loving Virgin replied: Listen and understand, littlest of my sons,
let nothing frighten you, nothing trouble you; let nothing disturb your countenance or your heart. Do not fear that disease or any other
illness or affliction. Am I not here, your Mother? Are you not under My shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy and your
health? Are you not in the hollow of My mantle, in the crossing of My arms? Is there anything else that you need? Do not be burdened
or worried about anything; do not be afflicted about the illness of your uncle – he will not die of it now. Be assured that he is already
healed.
(And at that moment his uncle was healed, as he later learned.)
When Juan Diego heard these kind words from the Queen of Heaven, he was much consoled and content. He begged Her to send
him right away to the Lord Bishop, to bring some sign and proof, so that he would be believed. The Celestial Queen then commanded him:
My son most little, climb to the summit of the hill, where I first appeared and gave orders to you; there you will find various flowers.
Cut them, gather and bundle them together; then come down and bring them here before Me.
Immediately Juan Diego climbed up the hill, and when he reached the summit he was very surprised that an abundance of varied and exquisite Castilian roses had blossomed before their season – for the present season was the time for frost. They were very fragrant, and full of the night dew – the drops like precious pearls. Then he began to cut them, gather them together, and put them in the fold of his tilma – in spite of the fact that the summit of this hill was not a place where flowers bloom. In the crags only briars and thorns abound, with some nopales and mesquites; and if perhaps there are some little herbs, it was the month of December, when everything edible is destroyed by frost.
He came back down right away and brought the Lady from Heaven the different roses he had cut. She took them into Her
venerable hands, looked upon them, and then returned them into the fold of his tilma, saying: My son most little, these various
roses are the proof and sign that you will take to the Bishop. You will tell him in My name to see My will in this sign, and that he
has to fulfill it. You are my ambassador, most worthy of My confidence. I strictly command that you only unfold your tilma in the
presence of the Bishop, and show him what you carry. Tell him everything precisely – you will say that I ordered you to climb to the
top of the hill to cut these flowers; tell him everything you saw and admired in order to convince the Prelate, so that the temple
I have requested may be built.
After the Celestial Queen had given Her counsel, he set out on the road that goes directly to Mexico City; already content and secure in the belief that all would turn out well, bringing carefully what he was carrying in his tilma – lest anything slip out of his hands – and rejoicing in the fragrance of the variety of beautiful flowers.
When he arrived at the Bishop's residence, the majordomo and other servants of the Bishop came out to meet him. He begged them to tell the Bishop that he wanted to see him, but none of them would do so, acting like they had not heard him – either because it was too early and still dark, or because they already were acquainted with Juan Diego, and thought he was only there to cause them trouble and inconvenience. Furthermore, they had already heard of the incident when their companions had lost sight of him when they tried to follow him. Therefore, he was waiting a long time. And as they saw him standing there for so long a time, with his head bowed down, doing nothing but waiting to be called, they noticed that it appeared he had something in the fold of his tilma. So they approached him to see what it was and satisfy their curiosity.
Juan Diego, seeing that he could not continue to hide from them what he carried, and that they would continue to harass, assault or even beat him, uncovered the flowers just enough so that they could see what they were. They were astonished to see the variety of Castilian roses, as it was not yet the season for them, all the more when they saw how fresh, open, fragrant and beautiful they were. They tried three times to take a few out of his tilma, but were unsuccessful; when they tried to touch them, they seemed to be only painted, embroidered, or sewn onto the tilma.
They immediately went to tell the Bishop what they had seen, and how the little Indian who had come several times before wished to see him, and that he had been waiting a long time for permission to do so. Hearing this the Bishop realized that this might be the proof he had demanded, in order to be certain of what the little man had requested so that it could be fulfilled. So he immediately gave orders for Juan Diego to come before him.
As soon as he entered, he bowed and knelt before the Bishop, as he had always done before, and recounted everything he had
seen and admired, as well as his message. He said: Lord Bishop, I did what you told me to do. I went to tell the Lady, my Mistress,
the Heavenly Child, Holy Mary the beloved Mother of God, that you asked for a sign to be able to believe me, so that you can build the
temple where She has requested, and also that I had given my word to bring some sign and proof of Her will, as you commanded me.
She condescended to your request, and benignly agreed to provide the sign you requested.
This morning, when it was still dark, She told me to come see you again. I asked for the sign She had agreed to provide,
and right away She sent me to the top of the hill, where I had seen Her before, in order to cut a variety of Castilian roses.
Although I knew that the summit of that hill is not a place where flowers grow – but only rocks, thistles, thorns, nopales and mesquites –
yet I did not hesitate. When I reached the top, I saw that I was in a paradise, where there was a variety of exquisite Castilian roses,
shining with dew; which I then cut. I brought them down the hill, and She arranged them with Her own hands and replaced them in my tilma,
so that I could present them to you personally, and you would see in them the sign that would allow you to believe me and the truth of my
message. Here they are; please accept them.
Then he spread out his white tilma, in the fold of which She had placed the flowers. And just as all the beautiful Castilian roses cascaded to the ground, the tilma itself became a sign – suddenly there appeared upon it the beloved Image of the Ever-Virgin, Holy Mary, Mother of God, in form and figure just as it is now, where it is preserved in Her beloved temple at Tepeyac, which is called Guadalupe.
When the Bishop saw Her, he and all who were with him fell to their knees in amazement and admiration. They were also
saddened and grieved in their heart and mind at their former disbelief. The Bishop with tears and sadness begged forgiveness for not
having believed Her request and accepted Her will. When he arose, he untied the tilma from the neck of Juan Diego – the garment which
the Celestial Queen had turned into a sign by the impression of Her Image. Later on, he placed it in his own chapel. Juan Diego
remained that day at the Bishop's residence.
The next day he said: Let us go and see where the Queen of Heaven wishes Her temple to be built.
The people were
exhorted to begin the construction of the first small chapel immediately. As soon as he had shown the place, Juan Diego asked permission
to go home to see his uncle, Juan Bernardino, of whom Our Lady had said he was already cured. However they did not let him go alone,
but accompanied him to his home. Upon their arrival, they saw his uncle – already healthy and with no pain whatsoever. And on his part,
Juan Bernardino greatly admired how his nephew was accompanied and the honor shown him. He asked Juan Diego why this was, and he was told
about all that happened – how he had left him to fetch a priest to hear his confession; how the Heavenly Lady had appeared to him at
Tepeyac and told him not to worry, that his uncle was already cured; and how She sent him to Mexico City to convince the Bishop to build
Her a temple at Tepeyac.
Juan Bernardino revealed that She indeed had healed him at that same time; that he saw Her just as She had appeared to his nephew; and that She informed him that She had sent Juan Diego to Mexico City to see the Bishop. Juan Bernardino also declared that Our Lady had told him to tell the Bishop, when he would see him, what he had seen and how he had been miraculously cured; and also that Her blessed Image should be named, the Ever-Virgin Holy Mary of Guadalupe.
Then they brought Juan Bernardino to testify before the Bishop. Both he and his nephew were guests at the Bishop's residence for several days, while the first little chapel was being constructed in the place where Juan Diego had seen the Heavenly Queen. The Lord Bishop transferred the holy Image of the beloved Lady of Heaven from the chapel of his residence to the main Church, so that all the people could see and admire Her blessed Image. The entire city was moved – they recognized its divine character and offered their prayers to Our Lady. Many were amazed when they heard of the miraculous way She had appeared; because no one of this world had painted Her precious Image.
Additional Article on Our Lady of Guadalupe
Alphabetical Index; Calendar List of Saints
Contact us: smr@salvemariaregina.info
Visit also: www.marienfried.com
