Juan Diego, Farmer

Juan Diego was a poor Aztec Indian who lived in Mexico. They raised vegetables on their little farm, and every Saturday he took them to the local market to sell them to help support his family. He always went to Mass on those trips into the town. One Sunday, on his way to Mass, Juan heard beautiful music and saw a lady wearing a blue veil and a dress the color of roses. He saw right away that this was Mary, the mother of God. Juan was sent by Mary to ask the local bishop to build a chapel there where people could pray to her. He did as told, and today we honor him for trusting in her word. She gave him a sign to show to the bishop, to help him believe, too.

Pope John Paul II canonized this saint on July 31, 2002 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Saint Juan Diego is honored by the Church with a memorial on December 9, the date of his first vision.

Simple faith can do great things! Is your faith strong enough to do what Juan did?