Journey back to 16th-century Mexico and discover the miraculous story that changed a continent.
In this new podcast, you will uncover the profound beauty of the Nican Mopohua, the sacred account of Our Lady of Guadalupe's apparition to Juan Diego.
This introductory episode explores the historical context, cultural significance, and enduring spiritual impact of an encounter that bridged two worlds and ignited a new era of faith.
A podcast of Juan Diego Network
[00:00:01] In the heart of Mexico, where ancient traditions met the dawn of a new era, a story unfolded that would forever shape a continent's faith and identity.
[00:00:12] This is the story of the Nican Mopohua.
[00:00:23] Welcome to the journey back in 16th century Mexico, a land still reeling from the echoes of conquest, where a humble indigenous man named Juan Diego encountered the Mother of God.
[00:00:37] Imagine a world where the old gods have fallen silent, replaced by a new faith struggling to take root.
[00:00:46] The spirits of the conquered people had been crushed by the Spanish conquistadores ten years before.
[00:00:52] They were still trying to make sense of it all and resisting everything that came from the places different than those of their ancestors' lands.
[00:01:00] The conquistadores were not treating the indigenous as people, and their cultures had been destroyed.
[00:01:09] In contrast, the friars and priests cared about the conquered people, their souls.
[00:01:16] Still, baptisms were scarce.
[00:01:18] The bishop appointed to this new land had just written a letter to the king of Spain saying, I quote,
[00:01:25] If God does not provide a remedy at his own hand, the land is on the verge of being completely lost.
[00:01:33] Something needed to happen.
[00:01:43] It was in this time of uncertainty and upheaval that the Mother of God appeared to Juan Diego on the slopes of Tepeyac Hill, a place sacred to his ancestors.
[00:01:53] The Nican Mopoha, meaning here is told in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, is the sacred text that preserves this encounter.
[00:02:03] Penned in the mid-1500s by Antonio Valeriano, a brilliant indigenous scholar, educated at the Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco,
[00:02:11] is a masterpiece of both spiritual and historical significance.
[00:02:16] Valeriano, abridged between the two worlds, wrote in the elegant Floricanto indigenous style, which means flower enchant.
[00:02:25] It weaves poetry in profound meaning into every word.
[00:02:30] His words transport us to that fateful December morning when Juan Diego, a simple peasant, heard the voice of the Holy Virgin Mary calling to him.
[00:02:40] Juanito, my little son, where are you going?
[00:02:44] Her words, filled with maternal love, offered comfort and hope to a people yearning for solace.
[00:02:51] She asked Juan Diego to convey a message to the bishop, to build a church on Tepeyac Hill,
[00:02:57] a place where she would show her love and compassion to all.
[00:03:04] Juan Diego didn't want to do what he was asked of. He did not believe he was worthy.
[00:03:08] How could he, a man whose people had just been conquered and who recently converted to Catholicism, be a messenger of the Princess of Heaven and ask to speak with the bishop, a prince of the church?
[00:03:22] There were people far more worthy to go and convey her message.
[00:03:26] Also, as you will hear, he had the best reason to avoid Our Lady.
[00:03:32] But he eventually gave his yes to her.
[00:03:36] Filled with trepidation, he approached the bishop Sumarga, who understandably demanded proof.
[00:03:43] And proof he received.
[00:03:46] A miraculous image of Our Lady imprinted on Juan Diego's tilma, a simple cloak made of cactus fiber.
[00:03:58] This image, vibrant and miraculously preserved to this day, became a symbol of faith for the recently conquered people.
[00:04:07] She was asking them not to be afraid.
[00:04:10] She was calling them maternally.
[00:04:12] She was inviting them to worship her son.
[00:04:15] Pope John Paul II, who canonized Juan Diego in 2002, called Our Lady of Guadalupe the mother of the civilization of love.
[00:04:25] Pope Francis said that Our Lady of Guadalupe, in fact, proclaims God in the most suitable language, the mother tongue, which we can hear clearly in the Nican Mopoa.
[00:04:36] Pope Benedict XVI said that Our Lady of Guadalupe signals the presence of the savior to the indigenous and mestizo population.
[00:04:46] She always leads us to her divine son, who is revealed as the foundation of the dignity of every human being.
[00:04:55] The Nican Mopoa is a testament to the enduring love of a mother for her children.
[00:05:00] As you listen to the Nican Mopoa, pay attention to the symbolism woven into the narrative, and how Our Lady talked to the culture, the profound love she has for her people.
[00:05:13] Listen with your heart and allow the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego to inspire you.
[00:05:20] Discover why this ancient text continues to captivate and offer hope centuries after it was first recounted.
[00:05:29] Discover why Pope John Paul II called Our Lady of Guadalupe the star of the first and the new evangelization of America.
[00:05:43] Before you listen to the Nican Mopoa, we make ours the following prayer from Pope Saint John Paul II.
[00:05:50] We also are awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit, who will make us see the paths of evangelization by which the Church must continue and must be reborn in this great continent of ours.
[00:06:01] We also wish today, and in the days ahead, to devote ourselves to prayer with Mary, the mother of our Lord and Master, with you, Mother of Hope, Mother of Guadalupe.
[00:06:14] We'll see you next time.