About one third of the way along this virtual Advent pilgrimage, we shift focus slightly to reflect on the monumental event that took place on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City in 1531: the Guadalupe miracle. In this period between the Feast of St. Juan Diego (Dec. 9) and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12), we will focus on places with a special connection to the Guadalupe miracle.
Today we are in the historic city of San Antonio, Texas; a city rich in Catholic heritage and tradition.
At the Lourdes Grotto and Tepeyac de San Antonio, which is located just outside the city center and open to pilgrims 24/7, you can climb a replica of Tepeyac Hill and pause in prayer and contemplation before a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe in front of a kneeling statue of St. Juan Diego. Below the Tepeyac Hill is a replica of the Lourdes Grotto, uniting one of the most famous Marian apparitions of the old world with the foremost Marian apparition of the new world.
The Guadalupe Miracle is so important to our Advent pilgrimage. It recalls Mary’s continuous role in the salvation of God’s people, being the first to bring the Good News to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas; in many respects bringing Christ anew to the New World, just as she physically brought Christ into the world at the stable in Bethlehem. It is not just a miracle that took place in Mexico, but truly a miracle that transformed the entire content and generated a stunning number of conversions in rapid fashion. It is for good reason that she is called the Patroness of the Americas.
Discover Catholic San Antonio
To learn more about Catholic San Antonio, read the Catholic guide to San Antonio here.
Concluding Psalm
Let us conclude today with the following Psalm:
“Blessed the man who sets his security in the Lord, who turns not to the arrogant or to those who stray after falsehood. You, yes you, O LORD, my God, have done many wondrous deeds! And in your plans for us there is none to equal you. Should I wish to declare or tell them, too many are they to recount.” (Psalm 40: 5-6)
Previous days of the pilgrimage:
Day 1 – Rapid City, South Dakota
Day 2 – Montana
Day 3 – Sacramento
Day 4 – Los Angeles
Day 5 – Tucson
Day 6 – Santa Fe
Day 7 – Denver
CATHOLIC CONCIERGE 
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