[Aquinasfan]

It's a wonderful story but it does not call attention to God once (as is often the case).

At least in this account. In another account I read that she revealed herself to be "the Ever Virgin Mother of the True God."

This is not in keeping with the scriptures in which all things bring glory to God.

God often chooses to glorify Himself through his creatures. In this case, "to God through Mary." We all can be conduits of grace in some way.

This miracle brought about the conversion of 9 million pagans, so it bore good fruit.

Notice also that the image is Scriptural, in that it accords with this image described in Revelation.

Revelation 12:1

A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

But, as you can see from the story, God and our Lord Jesus is rarely mentioned. One has to wonder why Mary would asks for a temple to be built for her and not to God?

I believe that this is the reason. Mary is the woman alluded to in Genesis whose seed "crushes the head of the serpent." This would have special significance for the native people.

The origin of the name Guadalupe has always been a matter of controversy. The name came about because of the translation from Nahuatl to Spanish of the words used by the Virgin to announce herself: the Nahuatl word of "coatlaxopeuh" which is pronounced "quatlasupe" and sounds remarkably like the Spanish word Guadalupe. Catholic historians translate Coa as serpent; tla is interpreted as "the", while xopeuh means to crush or stamp out. The original Nahuatl translates as "the one who crushes the serpent", an allusion to Quetzecoatl, the serpent god-king of the Aztec religion.

Perhaps in this way, God could use Mary to lead the people away from their pagan religion and to Himself.

But one wonders why someone wouldn't raise questions about people popping in on them asking them to erect temples to them.

The bishop dismissed Juan Diego's visions until the day when Juan Diego unfurled his tilma bearing the miraculous image, and fresh roses tumbled out. This was in wintertime, when roses were not in bloom.

[HarleyD]

This miracle brought about the conversion of 9 million pagans, so it bore good fruit.

It doesn't matter HOW many conversions it brought about. I am sure that we both would agree that if tomorrow 9 million Hindus became Budhists we would not marvel and think this was God at work. From the Budhist's perspective they might.

Notice also that the image is Scriptural

So? Doesn't anyone stop and think that this person could have 1) been deceived or 2) been a deceiver?

Perhaps in this way, God could use Mary to lead the people away from their pagan religion and to Himself.

Perhaps, except to say that God the Father is not recounted in the story. Mary is talking about coming to her, not the Father.

The bishop dismissed Juan Diego's visions until the day when Juan Diego unfurled his tilma bearing the miraculous image, and fresh roses tumbled out. This was in wintertime, when roses were not in bloom.

And the magicians in Egypt were able to do miraculous signs. Simon in Acts was also. History, even recorded in scripture, have always been filled with people who can do miraculous things. This is not an indication of anything.

[Nihil Obstat]

Thank God for Our Lady of Guadalupe.