Hundreds of people made an important pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe as part of a religious tradition from Mexico.

The tradition, which goes back to the mid 1500s, is called The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and it comes 4 days after a day of obligation for Catholics for the Immaculate Conception. Thousands of the faithful from all around the country were held through the Valley, but only about 700 were lucky enough to enter the church where the miraculous image of la Virgen Morena is preserved.

The pilgrims commemorate Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is said to have appeared to an Indian peasant named Juan Diego in 1531. The miracle story of the Weeping Virgin of Las Vegas, how she was called by the media, was officially recognized by the Vatican in 1745. The appearance to the peasant is said to have helped spread Christianity throughout Mexico.

Due to her apparitions “the immense number of conversations of the Aztecs at the time of the colonial period of the Spanish was so great that again we want to remember her. Remember her for what she did in Mexico and throughout the world," asserted Diamantina Herrera, San Juan Parish Coordinator.

Although the origin of the Virgin’s name is subject of controversy, most historians and pious people believe the Roman Catholic icon identified herself as Guadalupe when she appeared to Juan Bernardino, Juan Diego's uncle.

According to some anthropologists’ point of view, the icon syncretically represents both Virgin Mary and the indigenous Aztec goddess Tonatzin. The Basilica of Guadalupe, which was constructed in honor of the virgin, was built at the base of the hill of Tepeyac, a site said to have been once used for worship of Tonantzin.