Our Lady Guadalupe

Couldn't resist snapping this meditative view in a little mission in the heart of Playa del Carmen's business district (Mexico).
While our Christian faith does not rely heavily on multiple patron Saints, I certainly honor St. Guadalupe's message of love and compassion and her universal promise of help and protection to all mankind. Originally appearing in 1531 to an Aztec Indian named Juan Diego and requesting the Bishop to create a shrine to her on a hilltop, twice the Bishop denied this request disbelieving Juan Diego's connection. But the third time the Virgin told Juan to pick some roses, bundle them in his cloak, and give them to the Bishop. When he let fall his cloak and the roses tumbled to the floor, there on Juan's cloak was an image of the Virgin. The shrine was built and the cloak can still be seen there. Later, banners of the Virgin led rebels into battle during their struggle from independence from Spain. Devotion to Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe has spread throughout Central and South America. This Shrine was located at the horse riding stables of Punto Venado while this Shrine was spotted in a small gift shop in Cancun. Visit here for more info and the complete history of Guadalupe.