In 1521, the Aztec empire was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors in the city that is presently known as Mexico City. The Aztec people, and numerous surrounding civilizations, followed a polytheistic religion that appeased the gods with human sacrifice. With the arrival of the Spanish, this belief system quickly changed, as the Spanish felt that converting the heathens was of utmost priority. Catholicism was strongly enforced; among many other cultural and traditional changes.
             On December 9, 1531, a "lady from heaven," now referred to as Our Lady of Guadalupe, appeared before a 55 year old Indian named Juan Diego at Tepeyac, a hill outside of Mexico City. She proclaimed to be the mother of the "true God," and instructed him to have the bishop build a temple on top of this hill. Bishop Zumárraga was skeptical of of Diego's encounter, and asked for a sign from Our Lady of Guadalupe.
             On December 12, 1531, Diego had an uncle, Bernadino, who was very sick and could not be cured with tradition indian remedies. He he left for the convent to get a priest when Our Lady of Guadalupe intercepted him. She asked
             Diego,"What road is this thou takest son?" After speaking for a bit, she appeared before his sick uncle and instantly cured him.
             Diego asked Our Lady of Guadalupe for the sign that the bishop requested. She instructed him to gather rocks and roses. He obtained the requested items in his tilma, a poor quality cactus cloth used by Mexican Indians as a long cloak. She arranged the rocks and roses and asked that he not look at her arrangment until he showed the bishop. Zumárraga unfolded his cloak filled with roses. Diego was startled to see the bishop and his attendants kneeling before him. The life size figure of the Virgin Mother, just as Juan had described her, was glowing on the tilma. The picture was venerated, and guarded in the bishop's chapel, and soon af
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