An icon of Mexicans that has been exported to the world, the Virgen de Guadalupe, her faith, and her symbol have sustained millions of believers throughout history. Many turn to her in moments of despair, anguish, or hopelessness. This is reflected in the famous phrase by Mexican boxer Raúl ‘El Ratón’ Macías, who after every victory would say, “I owe everything to the Virgen de Guadalupe.”
In many villages, families bless migrants as they begin their journey to the United States, and the migrants, in moments of heightened anti-immigrant sentiment, turn to the Virgin for help, hoping everything goes well.
There have been several ‘apparitions’ reported in various parts of the United States. Every year, the arrival of December 12 becomes a religious celebration. With Donald Trump’s second term as president, difficult times await the migrants, and the symbolism of the Virgen de Guadalupe will be crucial in the spiritual resistance they may face.
The presence of the Virgen de Guadalupe is manifested in various forms, from holy cards and tattoos to T-shirts, Mexican flags, and images of all sizes, offering companionship, protection, and identity to many compatriots living in the United States.
To delve deeper into this devotion, We would like to highlight two cases that illustrate the profound connection between the Virgen de Guadalupe and Mexican immigrants in the United States. The first case is in Clearwater, Florida, a city that witnessed the apparition of the Virgen de Guadalupe in December 1996 when her figure appeared on the windows of a two-story office building. The amazement and devotion led believers to gather there, considering it a miracle. Since then, it has become a religious site that also represents the unity and presence of a significant portion of the Mexican community in Florida.
It’s important to mention that this image of the Virgin in Clearwater has survived two attacks, the first with acid in 1997 and the second with stones in 2001, which caused damage to part of her face and head. These attacks, far from discouraging the religious community, strengthened the believers, who see her as a symbol of resistance against racism and adversity. Furthermore, the Catholic Church purchased the building to turn it into a place of worship and celebration where every December 12, the Latin community gathers to honor her, showing that despite adversity, the resilience and strength of the immigrant community in the United States are remarkable.
The second case takes place in Chicago, Illinois, where the figure of the “Migrant Virgin” emerged as a symbol accompanying people at marches advocating for the rights of migrants. The Virgen de Guadalupe, seen as the protector of the helpless, embodies the quest for recognition and justice for those who, due to the lack of work permits, live in the shadows of irregular immigration status. This representation is not only a religious icon but also a symbol of the fight for the rights of the over 11 million undocumented Mexicans in the United States. In this sense, the “Migrant Virgin” represents not only faith but also hope and the struggle for justice in a context where immigration regularization has become an urgent demand.
Immigration: “This is not a U.S.-Mexico border problem. This is now a worldwide issue.”
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