Roses have long been considered sacred, particularly in Christianity, where they symbolize the Blessed Mother, often referred to as the "Mystical Rose." Growing up in the Catholic faith, I learned about the many miracles associated with her, but one story always stood out to me, the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

As I was reflecting recently on the sacred nature of my roses, I felt inspired to write about this miraculous event. On the day I began, a series of synchronistic events unfolded. While shopping, I was drawn to a vibrant bouquet of roses that were wrapped in tissue imprinted with the image and name of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the past, I might have seen this as just a lovely coincidence; now, it felt meaningful.
 
Later that evening, while watching a TV program, I accidentally bumped the remote, and the channel changed. The new channel was airing La Rosa de Guadalupe, a series about people seeking the Blessed Mother’s help in times of need. The back-to-back signs felt intentional; I was meant to share this beautiful story. 

In December 1531, a young man named Juan Diego encountered the Virgin Mary near the Hill of Tepeyac, north of what is now Mexico City. She appeared with indigenous features, identifying herself as the Virgin of Guadalupe, and asked him to deliver a message to the bishop requesting the construction of a church on the site of her appearance.

At first, Juan Diego was met with skepticism. To prove the authenticity of her request, she performed a miracle. In the middle of winter, roses began to bloom on the barren hillside. Juan Diego gathered the roses in his cloak, and when he presented them to the bishop, an image of the Virgin Mary was imprinted on the fabric. Moved by the miracle, the bishop ordered the church to be built. 

The cloak, or tilma, of Our Lady has remained intact for nearly 500 years. The colors have not faded, and the cloth has not deteriorated, despite its humble cactus-fiber material, which should have disintegrated long ago. 

Even a bomb explosion in 1921, which damaged the church’s altar, left the image untouched. Today, the tilma continues to inspire millions of visitors each year and its inexplicable preservation remains a mystery to scientists. 

The miraculous story of Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that divine signs are real, not just in distant history, but also in the quiet moments of our everyday lives.