Encounter in the Forest with the Mother of God

It was the calm evening of a day near the spring of 1541. The sun gave off about the region and its last rays, when Juan Diego, who was climbing the western slope of Cerro de San Lorenzo, entered a forest of pitch pine that back then existed.

Suddenly, something came to meet him, a beautiful lady (she was the Mother of God), who with kindly countenance, said: "HAIL MY SON, where are you going?

The Indian Surprised by so much goodness and beauty, said: "I AM TAKING WATER FOR MY PATIENTS WHO DIE WITHOUT REMEDY"

Mother of God in love with the ingenuity of the Indian, she invited him to follow:
"COME ON AFTER ME, -She said- I WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER WATER TO TERMINATE THE SPREAD, AND HEAL, NOT JUST YOUR RELATIVES, BUT MANY AS MANY THAT DRINK FROM IT; BECAUSE MY HEART, FOR MY HEART IS MADE FOR THE DESTITUTE, DO NOT SUFFER FROM SEEING SO MANY UNFORTUNATE. .

Juan Diego, in his frequent trips to these places, had never seen any fountain, however meekly followed his benefactress to a stream of the slope near the hill, near a ravine, where she showed him the fountain of the Holy Water.

"TAKE AS MUCH WATER AS YOU WANT, -said Mary-, MAKE SURE THE CONTACT OF SMALL DROP, THE SICKLY WILL NOT ONLY FEEL RELIEF BUT WILL FEEL PERFECT HEALTH"

Obediently the native, filled his pitcher with the miraculous water, and went on to Xiloxoxtla, his hometown. Arriving home he provided for the sick of the plague the fresh water that was in his pitcher, and they regained their health, soon the news of the event ran throughout the town many of whose neighbors came to the house of Juan Diego, to hear from his lips the appearence of Zoapilzin (Lady Women) and benefit from the miraculous water.

Juan Diego before leaving his people, the heavenly Lady ordered:

"ADVISE TO RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, ON MY BEHALF ME, ON THIS SITE THEY WILL FIND MY IMAGE, NOT ONLY DOES IT REPRESENT MY PERFECTIONS, WITH IT I WILL LAVISH MY MERCY AND CLEMENCY: THE ONE FOUND, I WANT IT TO BE PLACED IN THE CHAPEL OF SAN LORENZO

After Receiving the mandate of the Virgin, and having thoroughly researched the Indian, the Franciscans moved to the scene of the miracle with the Guardian at the head, at dusk. A prodigy stopped and dazzled them: forest trees with large flares burning without being consumed, especially a big pine or pine. To this one they placed a sign and went to her convent, being already very late at night.

The next day, they returned early to the place and opened the pine with an ax blow which had been indicated. Within the heart of pine, they discovered the image of Mary Immaculate, producing indescribable enthusiasm and admiration.


Among a jubilant crowd, religious people shouldered the image to the chapel of San Lorenzo, located at the top of the hill, and settled on the throne occupied by the Holy Martyr San Lorenzo.

Legend has it that the clerk felt bad because they lowered San Lorenzo, head of the chapel, the main place to place the Virgin. Three times he insisted, behind closed doors removing the Virgin and putting San Lorenzo, but the Virgin at the hands of angels, was returned each time miraculously into place. This contention, that sounds pretty legend, vividly expresses the desire of the Virgin. Who can deny, that the will of the Mother of God was owning a home in the midst of this glorious town of Tlaxcala and being from here life, sweetness and hope of all who call their doors?

In these terms, and "with nothing in hand for four centuries," he told the tradition, and then the poets and painters shaped it. Since then, the torch, now Ocotlán, continues to enlighten souls, and the Holy Water, or Pocito, continues to heal the body.
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